William Richard Doherty of Delta, Colorado, passed away on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 at his home in Delta. He was 92 Years old.
William Richard Doherty was born on Jan. 23, 1928, to Joseph Richard and Lillian Bernadette (McCory) Doherty in New York City, New York. He spent his childhood in New York City. He started drawing before he was old enough to go to school. He was oil painting at the age of 15. He quit school and left home at 16 and went upstate to work as a hand on a dairy farm. As he grew older, he drifted around working different jobs and did a stint in the army as a medic. His GI Bill allowed him to finish high school and study animal culture at Long Island Agricultural College. In the early ’50s he decided to come west to be a cowboy, spending several years working on different ranches. All the while, drawing and painting what he saw and experienced along the way. Recognizing a need for more education and training, in his mid-30’s he decided to return to college. This decision led to a master's in art and a teaching career.
Richard moved into the Delta area in the fall of 1969 when taking the position of art teacher at Delta High School. He and his wife, Debbie, eventually opened a personal gallery, art supply and bookstore on Main Street in Delta which they had for three years. They were both active in the visual and theatrical arts of the county, serving on the board of the North Fork Council for the Arts at different times, and were instrumental in founding the Delta Fine Arts Club.
Dick, as he was called by friends, worked in a variety of media including pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, and oils. He retired from teaching in 1988 and continued with his art career. Commissioning the first mural in Delta and two more after that, in addition to a number of other city projects, Dick earned the name "Father of the City of Murals."
Mr. Doherty is survived by three daughters: Corrin Doherty of Long Beach, New York; Elin Kambuga of Evanston, Illinois; and Sine Doherty of Delta, Colorado; stepson, Barney Plank; son-in-law, Dominic Kambuga; and son-in-law-to-be, Anthony Martinez. He also leaves behind a granddaughter, Jamila Kambuga.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Deborah "Deb" Doherty (VanDelinder); and also his parents.
William Richard Doherty was born on Jan. 23, 1928, to Joseph Richard and Lillian Bernadette (McCory) Doherty in New York City, New York. He spent his childhood in New York City. He started drawing before he was old enough to go to school. He was oil painting at the age of 15. He quit school and left home at 16 and went upstate to work as a hand on a dairy farm. As he grew older, he drifted around working different jobs and did a stint in the army as a medic. His GI Bill allowed him to finish high school and study animal culture at Long Island Agricultural College. In the early ’50s he decided to come west to be a cowboy, spending several years working on different ranches. All the while, drawing and painting what he saw and experienced along the way. Recognizing a need for more education and training, in his mid-30’s he decided to return to college. This decision led to a master's in art and a teaching career.
Richard moved into the Delta area in the fall of 1969 when taking the position of art teacher at Delta High School. He and his wife, Debbie, eventually opened a personal gallery, art supply and bookstore on Main Street in Delta which they had for three years. They were both active in the visual and theatrical arts of the county, serving on the board of the North Fork Council for the Arts at different times, and were instrumental in founding the Delta Fine Arts Club.
Dick, as he was called by friends, worked in a variety of media including pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, and oils. He retired from teaching in 1988 and continued with his art career. Commissioning the first mural in Delta and two more after that, in addition to a number of other city projects, Dick earned the name "Father of the City of Murals."
Mr. Doherty is survived by three daughters: Corrin Doherty of Long Beach, New York; Elin Kambuga of Evanston, Illinois; and Sine Doherty of Delta, Colorado; stepson, Barney Plank; son-in-law, Dominic Kambuga; and son-in-law-to-be, Anthony Martinez. He also leaves behind a granddaughter, Jamila Kambuga.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Deborah "Deb" Doherty (VanDelinder); and also his parents.
William Richard Doherty of Delta, Colorado, passed away on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 at his home in Delta. He was 92 Years old.
William Richard Doherty was born on Jan. 23, 1928, to Joseph Richard and Lillian Bernadette (McCory) Doherty in New York City, New York. He spent his childhood in New York City. He started drawing before he was old enough to go to school. He was oil painting at the age of 15. He quit school and left home at 16 and went upstate to work as a hand on a dairy farm. As he grew older, he drifted around working different jobs and did a stint in the army as a medic. His GI Bill allowed him to finish high school and study animal culture at Long Island Agricultural College. In the early ’50s he decided to come west to be a cowboy, spending several years working on different ranches. All the while, drawing and painting what he saw and experienced along the way. Recognizing a need for more education and training, in his mid-30’s he decided to return to college. This decision led to a master's in art and a teaching career.
Richard moved into the Delta area in the fall of 1969 when taking the position of art teacher at Delta High School. He and his wife, Debbie, eventually opened a personal gallery, art supply and bookstore on Main Street in Delta which they had for three years. They were both active in the visual and theatrical arts of the county, serving on the board of the North Fork Council for the Arts at different times, and were instrumental in founding the Delta Fine Arts Club.
Dick, as he was called by friends, worked in a variety of media including pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, and oils. He retired from teaching in 1988 and continued with his art career. Commissioning the first mural in Delta and two more after that, in addition to a number of other city projects, Dick earned the name "Father of the City of Murals."
Mr. Doherty is survived by three daughters: Corrin Doherty of Long Beach, New York; Elin Kambuga of Evanston, Illinois; and Sine Doherty of Delta, Colorado; stepson, Barney Plank; son-in-law, Dominic Kambuga; and son-in-law-to-be, Anthony Martinez. He also leaves behind a granddaughter, Jamila Kambuga.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Deborah "Deb" Doherty (VanDelinder); and also his parents.
William Richard Doherty was born on Jan. 23, 1928, to Joseph Richard and Lillian Bernadette (McCory) Doherty in New York City, New York. He spent his childhood in New York City. He started drawing before he was old enough to go to school. He was oil painting at the age of 15. He quit school and left home at 16 and went upstate to work as a hand on a dairy farm. As he grew older, he drifted around working different jobs and did a stint in the army as a medic. His GI Bill allowed him to finish high school and study animal culture at Long Island Agricultural College. In the early ’50s he decided to come west to be a cowboy, spending several years working on different ranches. All the while, drawing and painting what he saw and experienced along the way. Recognizing a need for more education and training, in his mid-30’s he decided to return to college. This decision led to a master's in art and a teaching career.
Richard moved into the Delta area in the fall of 1969 when taking the position of art teacher at Delta High School. He and his wife, Debbie, eventually opened a personal gallery, art supply and bookstore on Main Street in Delta which they had for three years. They were both active in the visual and theatrical arts of the county, serving on the board of the North Fork Council for the Arts at different times, and were instrumental in founding the Delta Fine Arts Club.
Dick, as he was called by friends, worked in a variety of media including pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, and oils. He retired from teaching in 1988 and continued with his art career. Commissioning the first mural in Delta and two more after that, in addition to a number of other city projects, Dick earned the name "Father of the City of Murals."
Mr. Doherty is survived by three daughters: Corrin Doherty of Long Beach, New York; Elin Kambuga of Evanston, Illinois; and Sine Doherty of Delta, Colorado; stepson, Barney Plank; son-in-law, Dominic Kambuga; and son-in-law-to-be, Anthony Martinez. He also leaves behind a granddaughter, Jamila Kambuga.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Deborah "Deb" Doherty (VanDelinder); and also his parents.
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