Richard W. D’Alemberte passed away on April 4, 2022 in Marianna, Florida after a prolonged illness. Dicka was born in Chattahoochee, Florida on October 1, 1936 to Dan and Eleanor D’Alemberte. He lived in Chattahoochee until World War II when his dad joined the Army. During the war years his family lived in Boston, Massachusetts, New York City, and Tallahassee, Florida. After the war he and his family moved back to Chattahoochee. He graduated from Chattahoochee High School in 1955. He then attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He graduated from Rollins in 1959, with a B.A. in Economics. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. While in the Coast Guard, his ship went to Cuba, leaving on the same day as the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations. He subsequently attended Jacksonville University and received his General Lines Insurance Training. In 1962 he opened D’Alemberte Insurance and Realty Agency in Chattahoochee.
He and his wife, Jean, ran the D’Alemberte Agency for 32 years, selling the business in 1994.
He loved golf! He was on the first Board of Directors of Gadsden County Country Club. He and his group later played in Bainbridge, Georgia where he was a member. This group was known as the “Dicka Tour”!
His volunteer work with Community College System is well known. He served on the Board of Directors (Trustee) for Tallahassee Community College (TCC) from 1972 until 1989. Dicka was Chairman of the Board of Directors for TCC during three separate years. During his time on the Board of Trustees, TCC’s Foundation was formed. He was on the first Board of TCC’s Foundation. After his tenure as a Trustee, he served on the Foundation Board for an additional ten years.
In 1992, Governor Lawton Chiles appointed him to the new State Board of Community Colleges. He serviced as Chairman of this Board from 1993-1994. Additionally, he was a member of the State Board of Community Colleges Foundation for over 10 years.
Dicka was active in the Chattahoochee Rotary Club for over 60 years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jean, his daughters Trelles W. D’Alemberte (Clay Roberts) and Elizabeth Willis (Ellison), several grandchildren, including Jackson Roberts, Wilson Roberts, Edward Tipton (Abril), Richard Bates (Jaclyn), Peyton Willis, Reid Willis, and Justin Willis. He was preceded in death by his sons Daniel D’Alemberte and Hal Bates.
He lived a good life, made many friends, and helped others when he could. We should all be so blessed!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to:
Daniel D’Alemberte Scholarship Fund
c/o TCC Foundation
444 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
A graveside service will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 3:00 p.m., ET.
McAlpin Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
