Obituary of Richard Scott Bywater

Richard Scott Bywater passed away peacefully in his home on Friday June 30, 2023, at the age of 81. He very much appreciated his wife, Terri, all the caregivers organized by our wonderful friend Teri Decker, and the CareFirst folks who made his journey home in a state of grace possible.

He was the son of Richard Turner Bywater and Winona (Kerr) Bywater and is survived by his wife Terri; daughter Julie Bywater; son Richard Thomas Bywater and his wife Kristen Bywater and their children, Maddox and London; step-daughter Gloria Kouterick and her husband Tanner with their son Leo;  Richard’s little sister Mary Ellen Burke; littlest sister Anne Dagan and her husband Larry; nieces, Christina Vad and her husband Dan and their daughter Andrea; Kelly Dagan and her husband Dave Upton; nephews, Guy Chiarolanza and his wife Carey Rehm, Brian Dagan and his wife Katherine and their children, Sam and Owen;  Paul Dagan and his wife Tanya.

Richard loved his 34-year career as an elementary school teacher and created many fun memories for his students.  He will be forever known as Mr. B.  He always tried to make a difference in his students’ lives.  Richard will be remembered for his tremendous sense of humor, kindness, calm demeanor and curiosity for just about everything. He loved to learn new things and because of that, he was so easy to talk to and have such great conversations with. 

Richard was an auto aficionado, having owned and/or worked on over 40 cars.  He was an inadvertent but prolific spoonerism spouter, making for many fun conversations. He was a cautious, capable, and conscientious captain, conversant in all things nautical. Indeed, he was probably happiest when boating on Seneca Lake. He was a magnificent motorhead and could get just about anything up and running. Richard raced boats until the day his boat flew like a plane during one of his races.  Fortunately, he walked away from that with only a few minor bumps and bruises.  He appreciated music from barbershop to bagpipes and was always up for an adventure, visiting faraway places like China and Europe, operating a hydroplane, taking flying lessons, trying out the biggest roller coasters, and white-water rafting in West Virginia.  All in all, he taught us many lessons very well.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, 604 Park Place, Elmira, NY at 9:30 A.M. on Monday, July 10, 2023. Committal prayers and interment will then take place at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to express their sympathy consider making a donation to CareFirst, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870 or the Arnot Health Auxiliary, 600 Roe Avenue, Elmira, NY 14905.  If you would like, you can also plant a tree in Richard’s memory by going to the online Tribute store found at www.mcinernyfh.com.  Thank you so much in advance for any memories or stories you would like to share online.