Richard V. ‘Dick’ Mendelman Of East Hampton Dies October 8

Richard V. “Dick” Mendelman of East Hampton died on October 8 at home. He was 89.

Mr. Mendelman was born in Passaic, New Jersey. His parents, Robert and Helene Mendelman, immigrants from Estonia, and his brother Gabriel (“Bob”), soon moved to Long Island.

He attended Hicksville High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, then served with the U.S. Army in Germany.

After returning to Long Island, friends from church introduced him to Sylvia Trinklein, and after their first date in his prized Austin-Healey sports car at the Bridgehampton Race Track, the couple married on December 27, 1959.

Mr. Mendelman began his career as a sales representative for Danly Machine Corporation in the Tri-State area. In 1966, he was promoted to sales manager for Northern Europe, and moved his growing family to Liege, Belgium. Before returning to the United States, he took his family on an extended tour through Northern Europe in a VW camper van and visited Estonian relatives in Tallinn, behind the Iron Curtain.

In 1970, he moved his family to Three Mile Harbor and became the manager of The Harbor Marina of East Hampton. He was independent, self-made, and confident, with strong values and a belief in life-long improvement, his family said.

In 1976, he established a marina operating company, Seacoast Enterprises Associates, which now manages four marinas on Three Mile Harbor. Mr. Mendelman became active in Long Island’s marine business community and local politics. He was a founder and board member of both the Association of Marine Industries of Eastern Long Island and the Empire State Marine Trades Association, engaging with legislators both locally and in Albany.

He helped shape East Hampton’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, and supported the establishment of the Peconic Estuary Program, of which he was a valued advisor for many years. He tirelessly advocated for clean water in our harbors and bays and for the rural environment he loved, his family said. Whenever returning from a family trip, while passing Town Pond, his family noted that he would announce: “Welcome home to the most beautiful place in America. You’re in God’s country now!”

Mr. Mendelman was fascinated with science, physics, and invention and had a strong faith in God, according to his family. He loved fast cars and speed boats (Donzis and Magnums were two favorites), and never missed the Indianapolis 500.

His wife Sylvia said that as a mechanical engineer, “he could fix anything,” and local fishermen Sprig Gardner and Chick Philips, would say “Fix it Dickie!” whenever their boats needed repairs. He could often be seen, briefcase filled to the brim, driving his white truck with the Estonian flag on the tailgate, loudly playing polka music and smiling. With his firm handshake, strong values, and enthusiasm, he established a reputation for honesty, hard work, and integrity, according to his family.

He was a loving husband and father, his family noted, and will be deeply missed by his wife, family, and friends.

Mr. Mendelman is survived by his wife Sylvia; his children, Lynn, Peter, Diane, and Mark and their spouses; and his six grandchildren Annelise, Kaylee, Dylan, Cassidy, Evan, and Collette.