Richard Egan

Richard J. Egan, 91 passed away May 25, 2017 at the Teresian House in Albany, NY.

Born in Amsterdam, NY on July 12, 1925, he was the son of the late Thomas J. and Julia Greene Egan.

Richard graduated from St. Mary’s Institute in 1943 and in the fall of that year he entered the United States
Army. After basic training at Camp Croft in South Carolina he served with the 91st Infantry Division in the Italian campaign during World War II. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

He received his BA degree from Fordham University in 1950 and a LLB degree from Albany Law School in 1953, and was subsequently admitted to the practice of law before the New York State Bar.

Following law school he was employed by the Fidelity & Casualty Insurance Company in New York City, where he acquired experience as a trial lawyer. In 1956 he joined the firm of Sanford H. Markam Associates which specialized in labor law and labor consulting. Three years later he was engaged by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines as a Labor Relations Specialist. In 1962 he joined British Overseas Airline Company (aka BOAC), where he had responsibilities for both labor relations and human resources. In 1966 he was recruited to be Personnel Manager, North America for Swissair, and an association that continued until his retirement in 1986. However, in 1987 he was recruited to come out of retirement to serve as Personnel Manager, North America for Sabena Belgian World Airlines, a position he held until 1993, when he again retired and moved back to the Amsterdam area.

During his years in New York he married the former Betsy Martin who was also well known and respected in the travel industry. Richard was a member of the East Coast Airline Personnel Managers Association for which he served as Executive Director for a two year term. He was awarded recognition by the American Management Association for his contributions to AMA seminars. His association with airlines enabled him to travel extensively on all five continents. He and Betsy were particularly fond of Italy, where they had spent their honeymoon, and to which they enjoyed returning for additional visits.

Richard was also active in volunteer work. While living in the New York area he volunteered his services to Covenant House, a crisis center for runaway and abandoned children and teen-agers. After returning to his hometown, he served as a volunteer mediator both at City Court and through Catholic Charities of Montgomery County, for which organization he also served on the Board of Directors. He also volunteered as a tutor in the local public school system for children with reading difficulties. He firmly believed that one who enjoyed some success in life had an obligation to “give something back”.

Richard was also predeceased by his wife, Betsy and his brother, Thomas F. Egan S.J. He is survived by several close cousins, relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated Friday June 16, 2017 at 11:15 at St. Mary’s Church 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010, where the family will greet friends from 10:30 prior to the start of mass.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fort Johnson, NY.

Memorial gifts in Richards name may be made to St. Mary’s Institute, 10 Kopernik Blvd., Amsterdam, NY 12010.