Richard Arnold Little, Jr.

Richard (Dick) Arnold Little, Jr.

Dick Little, age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 2nd in Gainesville, Florida.

Born December 27, 1931 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Richard A. and Eleanore Hord Little, Dick was the eldest of four sons and the younger brother to a half-sister. He grew up in Palm Beach, Florida where he spent his youth in and on the ocean. After graduating from Palm Beach High he joined the U.S. Navy to serve in the Korean War. After four years of active duty, he returned to civilian life and met the woman whom he married and loved for 60 years, Rita Hamrick. He started a family and worked for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft during the 1960s while simultaneously completing a B.S. in Science Education at Florida Atlantic University. Scientific discovery and advances in space flight were always a passion for him. After moving to Gainesville in the mid 1970s, Dick became a licensed electrical contractor and sole proprietor of Little Electric. He operated that business for over twenty years.

Dick Little was, first and foremost, a family man. He loved, supported and enjoyed every member of his family. He was the communicator and glue who kept everyone informed in all matters concerning not only the nuclear and extended family, but even “adopted” friends who soon became part of the Little clan. The term of endearment, “Uncle Dick” was used by children as far away as Austria and Hungary. He loved children.

Nearly everyone who called Dick their friend has a camping or canoe story to tell. Dick loved the outdoors and relished sharing that passion – usually on the Suwannee River. These canoe trips could often be characterized as a flotilla of friends.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Little; two brothers, Max Little of Jensen Beach, and Terry Little (Rosey) of Istanbul, Turkey; a daughter, Anne Seaman (Bill) of Montreat, N.C.; three sons, Richard Little (Anne) of Knoxville, Tenn., Scott Little (Lynn) of Gainesville, and Mark Little (Shari) of St. Augustine. His nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren will also miss their Pop-pop sorely.