To the editor:

Dick Lynch was not a Townie but he had a number of connections to East Providence. Dick passed away last week and is being remembered for his many accomplishments as an educator and for his work with high school athletics.

Dick was a long time friend of East Providence’s Kenny Walker who also recently passed away. Both were lifelong educators and also served together for many years as high level college basketball officials. Dick was appointed to the position of Executive Director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic (RIIL) by none other than East Providence’s Arthur Elmasian.

Alice Sullivan, a Townie who championed girls’ sports in Rhode Island, worked with Mr. Lynch to integrate girls’ sports up to the same status as boys’ sports. Up to that time, girls’ sports were just a subset of the League served by a committee Mrs. Sullivan chaired for many, many years.

Another East Providence connection was Mr. Lynch’s relationship with me. I was a school administrator in the Smithfield School District during the time Mr. Lynch was an Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools. I always thought of Mr. Lynch as a mentor and role model. | was able to return the favor after Mr. Lynch retired and I, serving as Chair of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, worked with Mr. Elmasian to hire Mr. Lynch as the League’s Executive Director. Mr. Lynch served in that role for ten years.

I thought It fitting to recognize an outstanding educator, a promoter of high school athletics and someone who was able to do what we all hope to be able to do - make a difference in the world.

I know he made a difference in my world.

Kathryn Crowley

Superintendent of Schools

East Providence

Editor’s note: Mr. Lynch native of Seekonk passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at the age of 82.