Richard Hannes PhD, 80, Died; Former Westporter, “an intelligent, playful, warm soul that loved his family”
Obituary:
It is with a heavy heart that I write about the passing of my father, Richard Hannes, an intelligent, playful, warm soul that loved his family, enjoyed the company of his friends, appreciated a spirited debate and dazzled academically.
A self-proclaimed royal smart person, he was an actual rocket scientist, holding a PhD in mathematics from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University, a master's degree in computer science and a master's degree in physics.
Rich began his professional career as a professor at the University of Hartford in the 1970's before contributing his intelligence working on multiple foundational projects that fostered our nations national defense in the 1980's and 1990's as a civilian computer scientist at United Technologies Norden Systems and later on at Sikorsky Aircraft before concluding his career at Verizon Wireless.
His brilliant brain never ceased to dazzle his peers and colleagues. To see him in action was to realize that he had an intellectual super power. He could skim a new computer programming book over a weekend, re-read it over a week's time and apply the subject as if he were well seasoned in the subject that he had just picked up. As an adult I witnessed with wonder my father in action as I could never master the subjects that he could pick up in a week and apply immediately.
As down to Earth as one comes, he rarely went by Dr. He was Rich and he was dad. In his youth he felt at home on a basketball court, mastering a hook shot and shooting with both hands. He has a love for HIS Knicks of 1969 and 1973 and that glory of the past seeded a belief that each new season would be a turnaround season (not so much the Jets). At home at Yankee Stadium old and new, he was readily recognizable wearing his number 7 aging into the mantle of the senior bomber at the stadium playing witness to some of the great games of the turn of the century dynasty Yankees with his son, David.
Richard loved reading, with an affinity for science fiction novels, a fondness that he passed on to his daughter, Sheri. He was a fan of the original Star Trek from the time of its debut and enjoyed a good sci-fi adventure. He was a movie enthusiast with an appreciation for new technologies that matched his interest. With every new generation of large screen TV he wanted one and would come to own one.
Rich was cultured; he enjoyed dining out with his wife, Janie, of 52 years, and appreciated music from the Beetles to the Doors to folk musicians the 1960's that epitomized his young adulthood. He enjoyed live concerts of the Levitt Pavilion with Janie and Barry, his friend of decades, and would frequent the summer plays performed at the Playhouse in Westport Connecticut, where his resided from 1979 until 2018. It was here where he raised their two children, Sheri Hannes Norton and David Hannes to adulthood.
A family man at his core he welcomed back his family both immediate and extended hosting Passover and Thanksgiving reunions annually for 40 years. His favorite days were those the house was full again with the return of his family; Sheri and her husband Tad Norton, grandchildren Erin and Jessie and later on David with his wife Shawn Whitney, grandchildren, Jacob and Jenny.
Rich's story would not be complete if one were not to mentioned that he struggled with his health in his later years, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the outset of the millennium, it would be a shadow that followed him for the duration of his later life. He fought the disease with a brave front, toured the world with his wife while he had the physical capacity to travel. Even as the disease continued to stake claim to his body, his heart continued to evolve into the soft warm soul we would come to know him for. He loved his family, appreciated his friends and spoke his mind right up until the end.
One of the smartest people I have ever met, Richard Hannes, you've been my father, my friend and my go-to life advisor at every phase of my life. You were the first one I thought to consult with whenever I had a problem in life regardless what the issue may have been. You almost always had the answer. I'll always be grateful for having you in my life as a father. It's as if you were hand selected for me. You were my rock. I love you dad. I'll miss you forever. Your recent suffering has come to an end, may you rest in peace.
Sunset Chats along Compo Yacht Basin
A couple chats along the western ridge of the Compo Yacht Basin as the sun set over Owenoke Park. WestportLocal.com photo
Toni Boucher: “The leaked Supreme Court opinion doesn’t change anything in Connecticut”
Toni Boucher, State Senate District 26 Candidate, Press Release: “The leaked Supreme Court opinion doesn’t change anything in Connecticut; a woman’s right to choose is fully protected under state law that has been in place since the 1970s.
No matter the outcome of the Supreme court decision on Roe V Wade (and the outcome is yet to be decided), our state protects the right to choose because both sides of the aisle have voted to do this including me. It has been codified and I have been on the record for over 20 years as a pro-choice, pro-women’s rights legislator and will continue to be one if returned to office on November 8, 2022.
I feel strongly that we should respect all sides of this very personal issue and not criticize or demean those with different and strongly held beliefs and positions. We need civility in our public discourse. Free expression is a pillar of our democracy. It is one of the reasons I am running for office this year along with protecting our schools and zoning and supporting law enforcement. I know we can be better.”
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 25; State Hospitalizations Continue to Decline
The State Department of Public Health reported 25 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 13.24% while hospitalizations were down 9 patients, with 291 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,680 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 13.24% [up from 13.01%]
State Hospitalizations: 291 patients [-9]
Sailing Yachts Return to Old Mill Waters
Sailing yacht Helium navigates a southwesterly wind Thursday evening off of Old Mill Cove. WestportLocal.com photo
Probate Judge Lisa Wexler Runs for Re-Election; First Time as Democrat after 3 Republican Terms
Press Release:Tonight Lisa Wexler was voted by acclamation to receive the Democratic Party endorsement to serve as the Probate Judge for the Westport/Weston District for another four-year term. This will be the first time Lisa Wexler is running as a Democrat, having been elected as a Republican three times.
Westport resident Matthew Mandell nominated Judge Wexler. Weston resident Dawn Egan seconded the nomination. The vote was unanimous and reached by acclamation. The probate convention was chaired by Weston DTC Chair Gayle Weinstein.
In accepting the nomination, Judge Wexler said “I am humbled and grateful to accept your nomination. I love doing the job of Probate Judge. I seek ways to use the law and the tools at my disposal to help the people that cannot help themselves. I look forward to continuing to serve all the people in the community.”
Lisa Wexler, a Westport resident, was first elected in 2013 in a special election to serve a one-year term. She was then re-elected in 2014 and 2018. Judge Wexler is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University and the New York University School of Law. She has lived in Westport with her husband Bill and her family since 1989.
For more information, please go to https://www.lisawexlerforprobatejudge.com.
Westport Garden Club Plant Sale Begins Friday Morning at 9:30 on Jesup Green
Only missing years during World War II and the COVID-19 Lockdown, the Westport Garden Club’s famous plant sale will open at 9:30 tomorrow morning on Jesup Green, in front of the Westport Library. A community tradition since 1928 - the sale benefits the Garden Club’s philanthropic and townwide beautification projects throughout the year. For more information, visit their website: westportgardenclub.org
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 13; State Positivity Rate Up while Hospitalizations Decrease
The State Department of Public Health reported 13 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 13.01% while hospitalizations were down 16 patients, with 300 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,655 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 13.01% [up from 12.39%]
State Hospitalizations: 300 patients [-16]
Jellyfish Float through the Harbor
Jellyfish have moved through the coastal waters of Westport this week as tides move them from the Sound into the mouth of the Saugatuck.
