Richard F. Hyldahl

Bonita Springs, Florida resident Richard Fletcher Hyldahl, 77, died March 7, 2020 with his beloved wife Karen by his side. “Dick” was born on July 19, 1942 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey to Fletcher Anton and Bessie Ruth Bunten Hyldahl. Dick spent his childhood in Metuchen, New Jersey and attended Metuchen High School, where he roamed the halls with his lifelong friend Sal Puca until he graduated in 1959. He was a gifted athlete in High School. He averaged double figures on the varsity basketball team and allegedly was a fantastic punter on the football team. He went on to attend Albright College where he graduated in 1963. He would receive his Masters in Counseling and Psychology from Bucknell University in 1965. It was at Bucknell that he met his first wife Bonnie Lynne Hawkins, with whom he had 3 children - Kimberly, Christian and Matthew. In 1970, Dick began his very successful career at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith. He would go on to the Management Assessment Center where he excelled and was soon thereafter made Regional Vice President of the Lansing, Michigan Complex. He was quickly promoted to larger complexes, first in Columbus, Ohio and subsequently the Lawrenceville, New Jersey complex earning accolades and accommodations along the way. He positively impacted and directed the lives and careers of many people with whom he worked. He retired in 1999. Over the years he nurtured and enjoyed 2 true passions. He was a steadfast fan of the Ohio State Football team. He also loved his Weimaraners -Jessie, Bubba, Bodie and Boomer. And lastly Boudreaux, his miniature Schnauzer who was by his side when he passed. While in Lawrenceville, he met his soulmate with whom he would share the rest of his life, Karen. Their love was apparent and everlasting. They married in 1997. Karen had two children from a previous marriage - Tyler and Troy - who knew Dick as “Dad”. They would later have a home in North East, Maryland, where they lived until the boys graduated High School. They have owned a home in Bonita Bay since 1997, and eventually made Bonita Bay their full-time residence. They cherished their time spent together on their lanai as they savored the views and the beauty of nature. Dick would often say “This is one of my favorite places in the world to be.” Dick is preceded in death by his son Tyler. He is survived by his wife Karen and his children Kimberly, Christian, Matthew and Troy, and known to his 8 Grandchildren as their beloved “Bebop” - Allison, Samuel, Kathryn, John, Riley, Aubrey Ella, Cooper, and Cameron; his sister, Joyce Hyldahl Groben (William), and their son, Fletcher. Funeral Services are being postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus and will be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Richard F. Hyldahl

July 19, 1942 - March 7, 2020