It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Richard (Dick) Herbert Morehead, age 90, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Dick passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025, in his home in Winston-Salem. He lived a remarkable life dedicated to his family, career, and personal passions.
Dick was born to Ralph Morehead and Marguerite Sabel Morehead on August 4, 1934, in Huntington, West Virginia. Dick received a full scholarship to Davidson College, for which he was forever grateful. After college, he served 2 years in the Army as a counterintelligence officer in Stuttgart, Germany, where he discovered his love for global travel. Because he felt strongly that students should have access to a good education and the opportunity to study abroad, he established a scholarship fund at Davidson to make that a reality for many students.
Dick and Cynthia (Cindy) Pratt met in Cambridge, MA while he was attending Harvard Law School. They began their married lives together in New York City, where Dick started his career as a corporate attorney for Pfizer. After 5 years, Dick moved into international management with Pfizer and later Abbott Laboratories, moving first to Miami, FL and then spending 11 years working abroad in Peru, Turkey and France. Dick was instrumental in expanding Pfizer’s and Abbott’s global footprints, negotiating deals with companies in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Asia Pacific. He cultivated relationships with foreign business dignitaries and learned to appreciate their customs. Sometimes those traditions were hard to swallow like the fish eyeball in his soup, presented to him as an honor for being the most special guest at the table. In 1981, he and his family moved to Lake Bluff, IL, where he finished his career as the Vice President of Corporate Planning and Development for Abbott Labs. Dick also traveled extensively with his family all over the world and instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of travel and a fascination for other cultures.
Throughout his life, Dick was known for his unwavering devotion to his family, his generosity, and his desire to make a positive difference in the world. In his retirement, Dick dedicated his talents to charitable organizations. He valued education immensely and was very proud of the work he did for the I Have a Dream (IHAD) foundation in North Chicago, IL. Through IHAD, about 40 students were provided individualized social, emotional, and academic support, including tuition assistance, from kindergarten through college. He spoke often of the accomplishments of these students.
Another passion of Dick’s was music. An accomplished pianist, his appreciation for classical music extended to charitable work with Ravinia and the Lake Forest Symphony. He was particularly committed to helping young musicians pursue their careers.
Dick’s strong faith was evident in every aspect of his life and prominently in his service to the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest. He was also involved in the Abbott Foundation and the United Way.
When he had free time, Dick loved to play tennis and bridge (especially if he won.) He was happiest, though, when he was with his family. Despite living across the country, Dick’s family always made time to be with him for reunions on Kiawah Island and every other year for Christmas in Lake Bluff or Winston-Salem.
Dick will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Cynthia, their 4 children: Karen (Tim) Baldwin, Diana (John) Leeke, Mary (Al) Hadley, and Ralph (Yvette) Morehead, and his 10 grandchildren: Jeffrey (Taylor), Courtney, and Kristina Baldwin; Nicholas and Katie Leeke; Anna, Joseph and Michael Hadley; and Ryan and Molly Kate Morehead, all of whom brought him immense joy.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest on May 17, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made online or by check to the I Have a Dream Foundation (322 8th Avenue, Suite 201, New York, NY 10001) or Ravinia Festival (418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035).