Norman Richard Byrd had a peaceful passing in the early morning of July 7th, 2025, in the arms of his beloved wife Martha Higgins Byrd of Fairhope, Al. Born and raised in Pensacola, FL on August 2nd, 1951, to Etta Kate Tisdale Byrd and Norman Roscoe Byrd, he grew up with his younger sister Anne Byrd Free and younger brother Gary Byrd. Rick enjoyed the education process both as a student and a teacher. He received a Bachelor's of Arts in History from Huntingdon College, a Masters in History from Vanderbilt University and a Ed.M. from Harvard University. After teaching History at the Harpeth Hall School in Nashville for three and a half years he became a dedicated member of the Westminster Schools faculty in Atlanta for 40 years including two terms as Chair of the History Dept and twenty years as Director of Studies as well as extended terms as a basketball and squash coach. He is survived by his brother Gary F. Byrd (Jean) and nieces Megan Free and Carrie Allen and nephews Garet Free and Mark Booth.
Rick met the love of his life on the volleyball court at Huntingdon College and for 43 years they shared a love and commitment that was an inspiration for others. They played tennis together, kayaked together and cheered on their various sports teams together in addition to enjoying their friends and family.
His memorial service will be at the Fairhope Bluff Park on the Bay on July 19th, 2025, at 4pm. Due to the extreme heat projected casual attire is appropriate. The family requests donations to the Gordon T. Chappell and Winn O. Chappell, Winn Chappell Tarver Endowed Scholarship Fund at Huntingdon College. or the Odyssey Program at South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama in lieu of flowers.
Let us honor Rick Byrd’s memory the way he would want with laughter, love, and a grateful heart for the privilege of having known him.
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Henry George Park (The Bluff)
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