Obituary of Richard C Ferguson

On June 23, 2018 Dr. Richard C. Ferguson of West Caldwell, NJ passed away quietly in his sleep at the age of 97.    Richard lived a long healthy life in Montclair, New Jersey where he was a dentist.  He practiced for over 50 years, founding Ferguson Dental Associates on Gordonhurst Avenue in Upper Montclair.  He was married to Margery Gillett who predeceased him in 2016.  They were a loving and caring couple for seventy years spending most of their lives in Montclair but also shared time in Stuart, Florida and Normandy Beach, NJ.

Richard grew up in Montclair.  He attended Montclair High School where he was a track and cross-country star.  In his senior year he broke the New Jersey state record in the mile.  His father Harold Ferguson was the principal of Montclair High for over 25 years.  He graduated from Wesleyan University and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School.  He served in the Air Force during the Korean War as a dentist in Pensacola, Florida.

He and Margie were active in many local and civic affairs including the Montclair Operetta Club, Barbershop Quartet, Garden Club, YMCA,  and The Red Cross to name a few.  They were members of Union Congregational Church and the Montclair Golf Club. They maintained group of friends that met socially near their Summit Avenue residence.  It can be said that theirs could have been the longest running New Year’s Party with the same group getting together for over 50 years.

Richard passed on his Dental Practice to his son Gordon who then passed it on to his son David.  Each generation brought the Practice to a new level of excellence and increased technology.  He loved the practice of dentistry and the level of care that he and the practice provided the Community.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Margie and a brother Alan.  He is survived by his three children, Gordon (wife Ann),  Kim Snyder (husband Colby), and Douglas. He is also survived by five grandchildren and ten great, greats!  He was truly an exceptional gentleman, father, mentor, and friend to all.  You could always tell when he was near when there was a pleasant whistle in the background.

Donations can be made in Dick and Margie's name to the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence,

100 Chestnut St, Montclair, NJ 07042