On October 14, Richard Eliot Bicknell passed away peacefully at his home in Port Orange, Florida, among family members and caregivers. He is now reunited with his lifelong love and best friend, Bette Ann, who passed on December 2, 2019.

Richard, also known as “Birdly,” a reference to his passion for all things aeronautical, devoted a large portion of his life to his love of aviation.  At the age of 16, Birdly took his first solo flight in a J3 Cub in 1942 and completed his last flight at the age of 96 – from Florida to New Hampshire to visit his family.

Dick Bicknell was Born on July 16, 1926, in Newton, Massachusetts. He attended the Fessenden School, and after graduating from Newton High School in 1944, he enlisted in the Air Force. While stationed in the Pacific, Richard flew as a crew member on C-47s in the transport of troops and equipment for the effort.  

Upon Dick’s return from the war in 1946, he attended Brown University and afterward, Dick worked for his father, Eliot Bicknell in the Boston Wool Trade. He would then go on to start his own business in the 1950s, Bicknell Pools. Dick, along with an incredibly committed group of people, grew the business until it was eventually sold in 1986. Birdly was the first to say that he would not have experienced the success he did without the help and support of his loving Bette Ann.

Birdly lived a life of adventure in the air, on the water, and in business. A lifelong learner, Birdly was tenacious in everything he set his mind to. Birdly loved The New Yorker, the writings of EB White, cigars, red wine, and Bourbon Manhattans. He also supported the advancement of aviation as an active member of the Aero Club of New England and as an AOPA member since 1942.

In addition to flying, Birdly was an avid tennis player, golfer, and reader. He believed that staying physically active was the key to a long and happy life. He enjoyed weekly tennis lessons, workout sessions with his physical trainer, and weekly drop-in tennis sessions with his crew of fellow pilots. Birdly enjoyed the tennis just as much as the banter. Birdly was also fascinated by all living creatures. His favorites in the animal kingdom were dogs, particularly his Vizsla, Rusty.

A sense of community was very important to Bette Ann and Birdly, and they found that at the Spruce Creek Fly-In Community in Port Orange, Florida, where they lived for 37 years. When they weren’t in Spruce Creek, Birdly and Bette Ann paid regular visits to their daughter and son-in-law, Susi and Phil Tyson, in Sarasota, Florida, and spent the summer months in New Hampshire with their grandchildren, Jackson and Thaddeus. Highlights during those visits included the Andover Fourth of July celebration, breakfast at the Blackwater Diner, and dinner on the porch at Bradley Lake. 

Birdly is survived by his daughter, Susan Bicknell Tyson (Philip) of Sarasota, Florida and son, Brooks Bicknell (Mindy) of Andover, as well as his two grandchildren, Thaddeus and Jackson Bicknell, whom he adored.

As community was very important to Birdly, if you would like to make a donation to the Andover Community Hub, donations can be sent to Andover Community Hub, 157 Main Street, Andover NH 03216, or you can donate at AndoverHub.org.