Dick Sederquist passed away on May 23, 2026. He was born in Boston, MA, February 20, 1938, the son of Carl and Hazel Sederquist formerly from Melrose, MA, and later from Wethersfield, CT. A graduate of Melrose High School, a BSME from Tufts University and MSME from RPI Hartford Graduate Center, Dick worked for 38 years as an engineer at United Technology Corporation on rocket motors, alternative energy and fuel cells. After retirement, he worked over fifteen years as an engineering consultant in the alternative energy field, holding over 60 US patents in related fields. In 2009, he became a volunteer motivational speaker for the Connecticut Department of Correction, creating and conducting a successful mentoring program “Life Change Discussion Group” for over 200 inmates at the Enfield, Osborn, Bridgeport and Cheshire Correctional Institutions.
Dick and his wife, Linda, have climbed all the 4,000-foot peaks in New England, and with his son, the hundred highest peaks in New England and 97 of the highest peaks in New York. Dick is the author of five memoirs Hiking Out (2007), Inside and Outside (2011), Hiking Out Again (2021), Talking a Walk (2022), and Bent But Not Broken. These memoirs, depicting life as seen through the eyes of a hiker, surviving depression, humor, travel, his 10-year prison ministry, aging, and living with and overcoming the physical issues associated with decreased mobility. Dick and his wife Linda have been active members of the Universalist Church of West Hartford, CT, since1997.
Dick is survived by his best friend and wife, Linda, married since 1961; his daughter Karen Cole and her husband Steven of Madison, CT, and their two children, Michael and his wife Mary and daughter Cora, Lauren and her husband Andy; his son Jeffrey and his wife Kathi Krivanec Sederquist of Harwinton, CT, and their two children, Morgan and Christopher, his brother Dr. Robert Sederquist and his wife Elaine of Harwinton, CT, and their two children and their families. He also leaves his extended family of hiking “Clowns” a group of devoted friends he has been hiking and snow shoeing with since 1974.
A Memorial Service was held on June 7th, 2026
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice or to support the community works of the Universalist Church of West Hartford, Connecticut.