Girvin, Richard “Dutch”

ALBANY-Richard “Dutch” Girvin, 81, played his final round early Sunday morning, February 19th. He has joined his beloved, Joan, on the 19th hole in heaven after courageously battling a longtime illness. Born in Albany, he was the son of the late Catherine Moore and Royal Girvin III and stepfather, Charles Connors. Dutch was a graduate of Philip Schuyler High School, where he returned to teach and coach after graduating from Morningside College in Iowa. Known for his competitive spirit and discipline, Coach Girvin was honored on his 80th birthday by many of his former players.

Dutch’s heart was captured at the roller skating rink by the love of his life, Joan Herrington Tiernan. Together for 41 years, they were a dynamic couple who complimented each other through their love of family and friends. Both avid golfers, they were members of Normanside Country Club where they formed many lifelong friendships. Dutch was such an integral part of the Normanside landscape and vision that the Club’s October Guest Day Tournament was renamed in his honor.

Additionally, Dutch stayed involved in local high school athletics by acting as a football official and a basketball referee for over 20 years. He served as an officer of IABBO Board 36 and was a member of the College Basketball Officials Association (CBOA).

Dutch enjoyed a very successful career in the insurance industry rising to the position of partner and president of Knauf Brothers Insurance and acted as a consultant for Amsure Associates.

Dutch was a devoted son, husband, brother, and uncle who in his quiet manner found a way to make a powerful impact on his entire family. He is predeceased by his wife, Joan H. Girvin, his parents, and his sister, Shirley Groff Unser, sister-in-law Grace (Tiernan) Staucet, niece Kathleen Groff, nephew Raymond Groff Jr. and nephew-in-law Bill Donovan. He is survived by his brother-in-laws, Frank Staucet and Ronald Unser, and numerous nieces and nephews, Susan (David) Doemel, Frank (Monique) Staucet, Mary (Craig) Johnson, Lori (Lewis) Sharp, Lynn (Rick) Bossard, Janet (Paul ) Holton, Connie Unser, Ronald (Michele ) Unser Jr., Denise (Art) Estep, Sue (Jeff )Barnes, who will always treasure his generous spirit and never forget his loving, but stern, discipline and dry humor. Uncle Dutch/Uncle Bud is also survived by many great nieces and nephews.

Grateful thanks to Audrey Romano, whose friendship, love and care held a special place in Dutch’s heart. Also, many thanks to Atria Shaker for their nurturing environment and to the Eddy Village Green, Building #8, and their loving, compassionate, and caring staff.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. from the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home. 490 Delaware Ave., Albany thence to All Saints Catholic Church (formerly the Church of St. Margaret Mary) Western Ave. at Homestead St., Albany where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 4 to 8 p.m. Entombment, St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.

In lieu of flowers, enjoy a cocktail in Dutch’s memory, and make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1027.