LACONIA ---- Dr. Richard Winstel Wilson, 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at home with his family at his side.
Rick was born on June 11, 1951, in Philadelphia, PA, the son of the late Richard and Doris (Winstel) Wilson.
Rick is survived by his cherished wife of 47 years, Wendy Wilson, son Christopher (Laurel), and daughter Elizabeth (Erik). He proudly referred to his six grand children as his legacy and contribution to the future. He also leaves his siblings Kaiper, Mark, Sally and their families.
Rick earned degrees from Swarthmore College and Harvard Medical School. Until his passing, he could still quote his favorite professors, referencing them all by name and the classes they taught. He highly valued the education he received and shared it throughout his life.
Rick and Wendy met in Salt Lake City, Utah while they were both working at the University of Utah Hospital. After marrying in 1979, they boarded a plane to Kenya to volunteer for six months at Friends Lugulu Mission Hospital. Rick carried with him a simple but profound belief from his time there: we all want the same things — food, safe water, health, a place to live and a good life for our families.
After Rick completed his pediatric residency at Mass General Hospital, they moved to Presque Isle, ME and later to Laconia, NH, where he touched the lives of countless children and families with his compassionate care. He said, “My philosophy has always been to take care of my patients as I would want my family taken care of. It was hard work but incredibly rewarding. My family was willing to share me with all those patients, even on Christmas. We would always find time to be together.”
Rick and his family enjoyed sailing on Winnipesaukee, and for decades he was an active member of the Winnipesaukee Yacht Club. He was inspired by the 35 summers he spent time on Star Island, a Unitarian Universalist retreat off the coast of NH. He made many lifelong friends and meaningful memories on the island.
Rick had many interests but most important to him was hiking in the mountains. He hiked in New Zealand, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Peru, Newfoundland, Austria, and Papua New Guinea. His first and last hikes were in the 4,000-foot peaks in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. After retirement Rick and Wendy joined a group of inspired and dedicated hikers and started to winter hike in the White Mountains. Rick then began to work on the “grid” and finished all but 24 of the 576 peaks before cancer slowed him down.
Rick was committed to giving back. He volunteered in the mountains by doing trail maintenance, leading hikes, working with the AMC and the White Mountain National Forest. He was never able to just attend or participate and always took on leadership positions: Commodore at the Yacht Club, Conference Chair at Star Island, Parish Committee President at the Unitarian Universalist Church. He served on many boards of organizations in the community. In later years Rick and Wendy returned to Africa to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and then as health care providers in Kaoma, Zambia.
Rick was grateful for the outpouring of support from family and so many friends during this past year. He embraced life until the very end. He had no regrets except wishing he had more time.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11 am at the Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Pancreatic Action Network at PanCan.org.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services / 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, assisted the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.