Richard Lee McCauley (1942–2026)

A Life Well-Lived (83 Years)

Richard Lee “Dick” McCauley passed away peacefully on July 29, 2026, at the age of 83. Born in Kokomo, Indiana, on October 30, 1942, Richard was a longtime resident of Chatham Township, New Jersey, and later, Florida.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Anne Lester (Poekel) McCauley; his daughters, Elizabeth Anne Collard (Plandome, New York) and Susan McCauley Warren (Corte Madera, California); and his five grandchildren, Katherine Evelyn, Thomas Richard, and Julianne Elizabeth Collard, and Grace Elizabeth Hope and Charlotte Anna Dean Warren.

He is also survived by his brother, Michael McCauley of Yorktown, Indiana; his sister, Kay Berman of Los Banos, California; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Evelyn McCauley, and his sister, Ann Milfred.

Richard’s life was defined by his devotion to family, faith, and a distinguished career in international telecommunications.

He was a 1960 graduate of Walnut Grove High School in Arcadia, Indiana, where he served as senior class president. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ball State University in 1964 and later obtained a Master of Business Administration in International Finance from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business (Executive MBA program, Singapore).

On October 28, 1972, Richard married Anne Lester Poekel. Together, they raised their two daughters in Chatham Township, New Jersey, and enjoyed an adventurous life living in Hong Kong, Paris, and Amsterdam. In his retirement, the couple cherished 15 years in the Lake Wales/Lakeland, Florida area.

Richard compiled an accomplished executive career in corporate finance, beginning with Western Electric in 1967. His work with AT&T and Lucent Technologies took him across the globe, serving in roles including Chief Financial Officer in Hong Kong and Vice President of the ATTI Asia/Pacific Region in Beijing, China. He concluded his career as the Chief Financial Officer for Lucent’s Europe, Africa, and Middle East operations, and following his retirement in 2001, served for 15 years as Treasurer of the Lucent Retirement Organization.

Service to others was one of Richard’s defining qualities. For more than 60 years, he dedicated his time and talents to Theta Chi International Fraternity, mentoring generations of young men and serving in numerous international leadership roles. Initiated into the Delta Kappa Chapter at Ball State in 1962, he served as Regional Counselor, National Marshall, National Vice President, and President of the National Board of Trustees. In 1986, Richard received the fraternity’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership and lifelong commitment.

In retirement, Richard was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven, Florida. He was known for his quiet strength, thoughtful guidance, generosity, and integrity. Above all, he cherished his family and took immense pride in watching his children and grandchildren grow.

Richard will be remembered for a life marked by humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the friends and colleagues he inspired, and the countless lives he touched through his leadership and service.

A service celebrating Richard’s life will be held on August 28, 2026, at 11am at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Essex Fells, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Theta Chi Foundation, P.O. Box 503, Carmel, IN 46082. Please include “In Memory of Dick McCauley” with your donation.