Richard Edwin Wilkes, Jr.
May 4, 1969 – October 8, 2025
Richard “Rich” Edwin Wilkes, Jr. was born in Houston, Texas, on May 4, 1969, to parents Richard E. Wilkes and Suzanne Richey Morehead, formerly Wilkes.
Rich graduated from Baylor University with a degree in History, a field that reflected his lifelong curiosity about the world and deep appreciation for the past. After college, he began his professional career in Austin, Texas, with Dell Computer and later joined Lotus Software, where he continued to build his expertise in the technology industry.
Following those early years, Rich embraced his adventurous spirit and stepped away from corporate life to pursue his passion for auctioneering, a craft that combined his quick wit and intellect.
In time, Rich made Boston, Massachusetts, his home, where his love of history and culture flourished. In 2006, he joined Anaqua, where he built a respected 20-year career marked by dedication, expertise, and kindness toward colleagues. His contributions left a lasting impact on all those who worked alongside him.
Rich will be remembered for his sharp humor, quick wit, and boundless curiosity. He was a devoted son, brother and friend who brought light into every room he entered.
He is survived by his mother, Suzanne R. Morehead; his brothers, Matthew Wilkes (and his sons, Jackson and Preston) and Marc Wilkes (and his wife, Julie, and their sons, Sawyer and Shepherd); and many dear friends and extended family who loved him deeply. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard E. Wilkes; his infant twin sisters, Jennifer and Suzanne, his paternal grandparents, Mildred and Marshall Wilkes; and his maternal grandparents, H.O. (Pug) and Blanche Richey.
A private family service will be held, with a celebration of life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rich’s memory to The Freedom Trail or The Walden Woods Project, two charities that reflect his love of history and his belief in the importance of environmental stewardship.
Rich’s wit, warmth, and wisdom will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all whose lives he touched.