Richard N Cote

Noted local writer Richard N. “Dick” Coté, 69, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. Born on June 3, 1945, in Waterbury, CT, he was the son of Anne M. (Richall) and Norman W. Coté. An internationally known author, whose works included three biographies, two social histories, and a contemporary novel, Dick majored in political science and journalism at Butler University. He spent six years in the U.S. Air Force, including tours in Vietnam and Germany, followed by eight years writing and conducting historical research in Wisconsin. After moving to the Charleston area, Dick worked for the South Carolina Historical Society before turning to writing full time. He became editor-in-chief of Corinthian Books and conducted extensive research into Southern social history, plantation life and culture, microcultures, architecture, and the international death-with-dignity movement. Among his works were Jewel of the Cotton Fields: A History of Secessionville Manor and “Preserving the Legacy: Medway Plantation on Back River” (with Agnes L. Baldwin). His three biographies, Mary's World: Love, War, and Family Ties in Nineteenth-century Charleston; Theodosia Burr Alston: Portrait of a Prodigy; and Strength and Honor: The Life of Dolley Madison, and his major historical work, City of Heroes: The Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886, brought him national recognition. In 2004, the Daughters of the American Revolution presented him with the Bobby Gilmer Moss Award in History for his outstanding contributions to historical writing. His book In Search of Gentle Death: The Fight for Your Right to Die With Dignity was internationally acclaimed and was translated into Japanese. Dick was a featured author and a master class instructor at numerous American book festivals. He was a frequent guest on American and foreign radio and television shows, and he traveled worldwide as a speaker on death-with-dignity issues. Recently, he began a second career as the photographer and creative director at the Galleria Coté. He cared deeply about Charleston’s history and about the less fortunate in his community. For several years, he was a docent for the Preservation Society of Charleston’s fall house tours. He frequently donated blood for the Red Cross, provided goods and services for Habitat for Humanity, worked in the soup kitchen at the former Crisis Ministries, and packed food at the Lowcountry Food Bank. He also joined the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry and participated in their many humanitarian activities. A unique, generous, exuberant person who loved life and was fascinated by everything and everyone around him, Dick will be greatly missed. Survivors include his beloved wife, Nancy Betancourt of Mt. Pleasant; his sister, Meredith Luckenbill and husband Chuck of Golden, CO; nieces, Margaret Arnold and husband Rod of Golden, CO and Veronica Betancourt of St. Augustine, FL; nephews, Alejandro Alvarez of Cali, Colombia, Andres Betancourt and wife Megan of West Ashley, Buzz Luckenbill of Boston, MA, and Tif Luckenbill and wife Sophie of Peekskill, NY; two grandnieces, Meredith Shea Arnold and Ondine-Matisse Gourdon-Luckenbill; and his mother-in-law, a sister-in-law, and four brothers-in-law, all of Colombia, South America. A gathering to celebrate Dick’s life will be held Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 3:00 pm at Gage Hall at the Unitarian Church, 4 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401 In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Reading Is Fundamental (http://readingisfundamental.org/us/about-rif.htm), a nonprofit association that promotes children’s literacy. Arrangements by PALMETTO CREMATION SOCIETY, 11 Cunnington Ave., Charleston, SC 29405, (843) 722-2555. Online condolences may be left at www.palmettocremationsociety.com