Richard R. “Dick” Hermanson, 79, of Old Saybrook, passed away from cancer on Oct. 25 at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. Dick and his twin sister Cheryl were born in Hartford, on July 18, 1944, to the late Robert W. and Eleanor J. Hermanson. He is survived by his wife, Irmtraud “Irmy” Hermanson of Old Saybrook; his twin sister Cheryl Olsson (Lennart) of Linkoping, Sweden; his brother Bill Hermanson (Mary Lou) of East Lyme; and his sister-in-law Brigitte Steeg of Germany. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews: Magnus, Katie and Erik Olsson, and Eric Hermanson, his wife Erika, and their daughter Jade.

Raised in Wethersfield, Dick was a standout athlete at Wethersfield High School, where he played all four years on both the soccer and baseball teams. He graduated from WHS in 1962 and later graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1966.

Dick had a long and successful career with The Hartford Insurance Company, during which time he and Irmy lived mostly in South Windsor. In this capacity, Dick and Irmy were able to travel extensively and see most of the country on business trips. He retired from his position as an officer in the Bond Department at The Hartford in 1997, at the age of 53, and moved to Old Saybrook four years later.

Dick was a passionate sports fan who closely followed UConn basketball (He was a college roommate of UConn basketball great Toby Kimball.), the Hartford Whalers, where he was a season ticket holder, the Washington Redskins, Formula 1 Racing, and World Cup Soccer. He also loved to follow competitive golf closely — at both the professional and the amateur levels. He was an avid golfer himself and a long-time member at Ellington Ridge Country Club and then Wethersfield Country Club. Along the way, on his many business trips, Dick managed to play most of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the country, usually with clients.

The family would like to thank the aides, nurses, and doctors at Middlesex Hospital for their amazing level of compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dick’s name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 718-987-1931 www.t2t.org. In accordance with Dick’s wishes, services will be private.