Richard "Dick" Emanuel Berkowitz

The closing bell rang for Richard E. Berkowitz, 91, of Savannah Georgia on August 30th. Dick, to most who knew him, in his final days asked us to remember him as Richard or “Me” and departed with deep inner peace... and an equally deep scorn for Liberals, though he was always a listening open mind.

While the nurses watched his heart monitor, his family knew better and watched Kamala Harris’s poll numbers. In keeping with his perpetually sardonic sense of humor, among his many last requests was his desire to be buried face down so Democrats could “kiss his ass”.

In addition to his gentle political extremism, Dick was an incredibly devoted family man. Born as an only child in Birmingham Alabama to Abe and Estelle, between a previous marriage of fifteen-years and fifty-two years to Lynn, he leaves a legacy of twenty-nine children through genetics or marriage:
Ten children: Debra (Martin) Darvick; Amy (Steve) Trager; Lisa (Martin) Thaler; Daniel (Tamara) Berkowitz; and Abby (Brian) Nelson

Fourteen grandchildren: Elliot (Elizabeth) Darvick; Emma (Scott) Darvick; Kevin (Andy) Trager; Emily (Landon) Brantley; Henry (Jessica) Thaler; Dagny & Blake Nelson; and Stella & Max Berkowitz

Five great-grandchildren: Olivia & Leah Darvick; Collins & Cameron Trager; and Julie Brantley.

Dick was equally devoted to his country, his colleagues and an ardent Zionist. After graduating from the Georgia Military Academy in 1950 and Wharton Business School in 1954, he first served in the United States Marine Corps and was then stationed in France with the Army Finance Corps. Upon graduating from the University of Miami Law School in 1960 he moved to Atlanta to begin his forty-two-year career as an investment banker and stockbroker.

First hired by Courts and Company, Dick oversaw the Initial Public Offerings of such well-known companies as Golden Flake, Liberty Overalls and Orkin Pest Control rising to become, at that time in 1967, the youngest General Partner of a Wall Street Firm, ever. In 1970 Dick opened the Atlanta office of Drexel Burnham. He retired in 2009 after a twenty-year stint with Oppenheimer & Co.

No one had a greater passion for his community and causes dear to his heart than Dick. His “rolodex” included Presidents, Senators and CEOs, but he most treasured his relationships with the everyday folks he encountered throughout life. It is no surprise that his housekeeper commented that she’s also lost a dad. Just a few of his extracurricular endeavors included serving on the President’s Commission on White House Fellows, the George Bush for President National Finance Committee and the Boards of St. John’s College, the Georgia Museum of Art, and the United Jewish Federation of Savannah’s Investment Foundation. Dick was a prolific reader, writer and inbox filler, often published in the Wall Street Journal, the American Thinker, Judicial Watch or his local Savannah Morning News.

Though his love for life and all he met was great, his greatest love was for his wife “Lynnie” who will never quite fill the hole his passing leaves in her heart. Over time, she’ll learn how to get the mail, take out the garbage, and pick weeds, but his constant refrain “you’re the best thing to happen to me” will see her though.

Dick’s commitment to doing the right thing and living a principled life was bar none and he will surely be remembered for his shared wisdom, often sarcastic “what not to do’s”:
- When all else fails, lower your standards
- There is always a price to pay
- Don’t worry, it’ll be alright
-Oh “Baaaah”
And is well known for having coined the term “Boobus Americanus”.

No one who met Richard Berkowitz left the encounter with a neutral opinion of him one way or the other, and his passing leaves a void in all who knew him. We find solace knowing that he is watching from above, petting his faithful dog Hairy, and likely sending God letters to the editor, sharing his superior opinion of how things ought to be done. Dick was often early, but in the end almost always right.

In lieu of flowers we invite you to click a link below and contribute in memory of a life well lived:
Hadassah Hospital: https://donate.hadassah.org/secure/donate-hadassah?ms=greytributebutton
Tunnels to Towers: https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/#!/donation/checkout
Hospice of Savannah: https://www.hospicesavannah.org/give-2/donations/
Saint Joseph’s/ Candler Hospital of Savannah: https://www.sjchs.org/foundations/ways-to-give/tribute-gifts

Graveside services for Dick will be held Monday, September 2, 2024 at 9 o'clock in the morning at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah. Rabbi Samuel Gelman will officiate.

Services will be livestreamed via ZOOM: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5052277485?pwd=TUVSU3ZMS2FXS09IcnJJbURtZWJHUT09&omn=84660808377

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