This week we sadly learned of the passing of Dick Bright, a longtime member of our Steuben group and a friend to many.  His style, willing to share his knowledge, and his warmth will be missed.  Below is a remembrance of Dick written by his friend, Jim Barlow.  Our condolences to all who knew him.

Dick Bright was a founding member and the first President of the Carder Steuben Club in 2000.  He will perhaps be remembered most as the host of the annual Symposium Pizza Parties held at Hillcrest Manor, a historic Greek Revival mansion in Corning that he and his partner, Kyle Goodman, ran as a B&B.

Dick was a long-time collector of Carder Steuben glass, starting in the early 1960s when he unknowingly acquired a Carder dessert set at a dinner party he was hosting. One of the guests exclaimed in surprise at his use of such rare objects. Dick became smitten with the glass! He traveled to Corning and visited the Rockwell Department Store, where there was a large display of Carder Steuben for sale. Dick ended up asking Bob Rockwell to open the case so many times that Bob eventually just handed him the keys.  Back in Spokane, Washington, where he was operating a very successful travel agency, he began scouring auctions, estate sales, and antique stores, gathering up his Carder finds. On one of his adventures he found the decorated yellow Aurene candlestick that is now in CMOG. I believe at the time, he went out and bought a new Lincoln car after dispatching the piece to Corning.

Dick became acquainted with Paul Gardner, who was Curator of Ceramics and Glass at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. One of Dick’s favorite stories was that while visiting Paul, Paul would pull out pieces of Carder from every nook and cranny—Rouge Flambé from the kitchen cupboard and a piece of Tyrian stored inside the oven!

Dick lived larger than life but was, at the same time, a kind, warm-hearted, generous, and authentic person. He was good friends with Eartha Kitt and would chauffeur her to her venues in his Rolls Royce whenever she was performing in Washington State.

Dick passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Utica, Michigan, where he thoroughly enjoyed staying for the last 5 months on the planet he traveled with passion. He will be interred at the National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, at a future date. His charm and humor will be greatly missed.