Richard Foster Coons of New York City, Southampton, and Palm Beach, Florida, died peacefully at home in Florida late Friday night, December 5, after a long and valiant fight against cancer.
Mr. Coons received a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton College and a master’s in business administration from Harvard Business School, and went on to become a highly successful international investment banker. He served as president of Baring Securities, Inc., executive vice president at J. Henry Schroder Bank & Trust Co., and senior manager of the international department at Kidder, Peabody. He most recently was a founding director of an Egyptian company, Coral Growth Investments, Limited.
He was a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, England, the Knickerbocker Club in New York, the Meadow Club of Southampton, the Southampton Club, and the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, where he served as commodore.
According to survivors, Mr. Coons will always be remembered for his generous heart, thoughtfulness, integrity, warmth, and courage. He was loved by all who knew him and he will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.
Mr. Coons is survived by his wife of 27 years, former WPIX-TV anchor and reporter, Kristi Witker, and their 24-year-old son, Foster Morrell Coons. He is also survived by two sisters, Marian Coons Lacy of Longwood, Florida, and Ellen Coons Goble of El Cajon, California.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Southampton at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Animal Rescue Fund, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or the Humane Society would be greatly appreciated by the family.
on Dec 8, 2008