Richard “Dick” Dougherty, 74
Richard "Dick" Dougherty, 74, passed away on January 16, 2026, in Bristol, Tennessee. Born on October 20, 1951, in Hyde Park, NY, Dick lived a life rooted in hard work, family bonds, and a profound love for the outdoors.
A 1969 graduate of Tupper Lake High School, Dick went on to earn his BS degree from the Syracuse University College of Forestry in 1973. His education laid the foundation for a lifelong connection to nature and craftsmanship that would define both his career and personal passions.
For over three decades, Dick operated his own general contracting business in Middleburgh, N.Y. Known for his dedication and skill, he built not only homes and structures but also lasting relationships within his community. His leadership extended beyond his profession—he was a past president and longtime active member of the Middleburgh Rotary Club, where he contributed generously to civic life and was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship award.
Dick’s love for nature was evident in every season of his life. An avid fisherman and hunter, he cherished summers spent on Tupper Lake and embraced all that the Adirondacks had to offer. A skilled woodworker, he found joy in creating with his hands and sharing that passion with others. In retirement, he and his wife Judy traveled extensively across the country in their fifth-wheel camper with their loyal dogs by their side. Their adventures took them from the deserts of Arizona—where they lived for five years—to the mountains of Bristol, Tennessee before returning each summer to his forever home in Tupper Lake.
He was a lifelong member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, reflecting his enduring commitment to wildlife conservation and outdoor heritage.
Dick was a loving husband to Judy and a father to Nicole Dougherty Barmen of Stuyvesant, NY; Erica Brown (Michael) of Casper, WY; Kimberly Dougherty (Adam Stone) of Durham, NC; as well as his step children Sonia Sullivan (Patrick) of Bovina Center, N.Y.; Luke Janiszewski (Melissa) of Delhi, N.Y., and son in-law Jay Conlin of Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by his beloved sister Karen Dougherty of Summerville, S.C. He was the proud grandfather to 10 grandchildren. He held close the memories of Kristin Conlin (Jay) and Jill Janus, who predeceased him. He was the son of Clarence "Ink" Dougherty and Helen Dougherty Pfisterer of Tupper Lake.
Those who knew Dick will remember him as a man who lived fully—through family, work, service, and nature. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and continue to inspire lives rooted in love and purpose.