Richard “Dick” Hart

Richard (Dick) Hart, Brigadier General (Ret.) USAF, age 83, of Hingham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 6, 2023. He was the loving husband of Pam (Urbati) Hart. Born in Cambridge, MA, on April 4th,1940, he was the son of Joseph and Pauline Hart. He was preceded in death by his brother Bob Hart and cousin Alfred Wasilauskas.

Upon graduation from Boston College in 1962, Dick joined the United States Air Force. His military career spanned 38 years as a US Air Force Pilot including combat service as a Forward Air Controller during the Vietnam conflict and as a Commander of Air Operations during Desert Storm. He flew over 350 combat missions and was awarded the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in South East Asia. Captain Hart completed his active duty tour and in 1971 he joined the Rhode Island Air National Guard, 143rd Special Operations Group where he flew as an Instructor/Evaluator Pilot. He held numerous leadership roles in the Rhode Island Air National Guard over his career, including Airlift Wing Commander and Chief of Staff. He retired at the rank of Brigadier General in 2000.

Following retirement, Dick loved spending summers with his family at his home, “Camp Hart”, in Hingham, MA. He spent winters boating in the Florida Keys with his wife and first mate, Pam. He loved studying marine navigation and earned his US Merchant Marine Officer License in 2003. Dick was a natural teacher and mentor to many, yet continued to be a student himself.

In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by his two children, Kathy Sullivan and Rick Hart, daughter-in-law, Joanne Hart, son-in-law, John Sullivan, and sister, Patricia Mercer. He dearly loved his granddaughters, Rachel and Katie Sullivan, Leah, Danielle, and Anna Hart, and Sadie, the granddog.

No services are planned for Dick at this time. Donations may be made in his memory to Operation Stand Down Rhode Island.