Richard M. Wainwright

About Richard

Richard M. Wainwright

Raised in Needham, MA, Richard was an avid sportsman at Needham High. After graduation, and a post-grad year, he spent two years at Drew University followed by a stint in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Italy. While in the service, Richard spent his free time working with priests and orphans at St. Dominico, which proved to a life-changing experience. Afterwards, Richard returned home to finish college at Boston University earning national honors and his B.A. A year later, he married D'Ann O'Brien. Over the next 18 years, his career was largely spent in field of education. He served as a teacher, coach, administrator in public and private schools, and most notably as headmaster of Charles River Academy, a school that he founded for young people challenged with academic problems. Richard grew up with an epileptic brother, Bob - who lived a difficult but courageous life - and died of a seizure at the age of 37. Richard's life's experiences greatly influenced his career choices as well as themes in his writings.

While an educator, Richard pursued other career interests. He invented and patented a bathtub safety device for children, Safety Bear, which is still available in stores and catalogs today. He has also traveled extensively in Central and South America, establishing business relations with various artisans, importing gifts for a store he opened on Cape Cod. During his many trips to South America, he learned to speak fluent Spanish and grew close to many of the artisans' families. He and his wife, D'Ann, had eight Ecuadorian godchildren, five of whom came to the U.S. to continue their education.

In 1981, Richard published his first book, A TINY MIRACLE. In total, Richard has written and published twelve books; elven for young people and one for adults. All have received national literary awards. Each book is unique and shares a common thread - all of his work focuses on family values and compassion as a way to cope with and overcome a variety of life's challenges. The broad appeal of his topics has translated into thousands of sales -a noteworthy achievement for a self-published author.

Sadly, in 1995, after 33 years of marriage, his beloved D'Ann lost her battle to cancer. Richard felt D'Ann was the source of his inspiration and a personification of a loving soul. He characterizes her as "the wind beneath his wings". Four years later, Richard was fortunate to find love again. He married Judy Gale Smith and her wonderful family.

Today, Judy and Richard continue to stay close to Richard's Ecuadorian godchildren. Although Judy had a stroke in 2011 she continues her Yoga three times a week while Richard is whacking a Pickleball. The couple enjoys a number of activities together, including travel, boating, fishing, and spending time with loved ones. They divide their year between Massachusetts and Florida.

richard@rmwainwright.com

December 14, 2018

Dear Friends,
 


"I am fortunate to have celebrated my 83rd birthday. It has been 
a wonderful thirty years of signing my books and meeting people across the United States.

Letters and comments from thousands of parents and grandparents over the years relating that my stories have taken their young loved ones on worthwhile vicarious journeys has been humbling and gratifying.

I believed my writing career would end with eleven books but an idea regarding Scituate's famous lighthouse which is only a few hundred feet from our home in Massachusetts became the seed for The Tale of Scituate's Light Keeper's Daughter, which was published in 2013.

I will continue to sell books through my or this web site. Shipping will remain $4.95 for one book and $2.95 for each additional book. When a particular title is sold out it will be removed from the web site."
 


Again a heartfelt thank you and best wishes to all - be well,
 


Richard