STC’s Dick Partridge
Jay Clayton Wilson
Dick Partridge and his wife, Patsy, joined the SaddleBrooke community in 1997 when Dick retired at age 58. His goal was to stay healthy and enjoy his retirement years.
He chose to start playing tennis regularly. Having had only two lessons and a few years of social tennis, he joined the STC Organized Play program.
Five years later Dick and Bob Lewis won the Men’s Doubles Championship in 2002. Now get this. He won that prize again 14 years later in 2016 (at age 76) with Walt Fritz.
Tennis is the vehicle that Dick Partridge used to accomplish his retirement goal of staying healthy and enjoying life. There is a valuable lesson here.
Dick tells a great story about another friend, Sven Sandblom. They were behind in a USTA sectional match by an insurmountable 2 to 9 in a third set tiebreaker. The two friends astounded spectators and opponents as well. They came back to win the match at 11 to 9! Memorable moments like those are not low hanging fruit. But they are experienced often enough in the tennis community. They are among the memories that make Dick’s life enjoyable and make his friendships enduring. The way he explains it, he plays for fun and delights in the rewards of good health.
Like many of us, Dick had lived a productive life in another climate zone. He was a radio personality in the Midwest who had a friendly, cohesive voice that was respected in a three state area. The news director, talk show host and sports announcer took his popularity to the insurance industry where he enjoyed well-earned success. He brought those abilities to STC where he became club president and made many life-long friends.
Dick studied broadcasting at DePauw University in Indiana and took has first radio job in Ottawa, Illinois. Better get a map for that one. Ten of his 16 broadcasting years were in Keokuk, Iowa. Read snow and ice. It was time for him to move south and make tennis an important aspect of his life.
Dick fell in love with the game. As far back as 2001 and 2002 he partnered with Ann Maro to win the Mixed Doubles Championship. That happened again with Johanna Pawelczyk in 2005. Tennis brought these players together as good friends
STC emphasizes a social setting where long-term friendships are developed among our members. The maintenance of our good health in an active retirement community is an attainable objective for those who chose to enjoy the outdoors on our 20 tennis courts. Good evidence is to be found in the life of our tennis buddy, Dick Partridge.
Remember – Dick won the Doubles Championship in 2002 at the age of 62. Then he won the Championship again 14 years later at the age of 76. That is an encouragement to all of us who are holding the aging process at bay while we love life and strive for good health.
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