Richard Lyons Dunning, age 76, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, formerly of Wilmington, Delaware, died at home on Monday, October 3, 2022. He was born the third of nine children to Edward and Mary (Desmond) Dunning of Wilmington, Delaware in 1945.
Dick had a long and successful career in finance and business management. After graduating from Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware in 1963 and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at the University of Delaware in 1968, he joined the Dupont Company in their Management Training Program. While working full time, he earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Delaware in 1971. Dick moved his way through the ranks in various finance and product development jobs, including an international management role requiring travel throughout Europe and Asia. He assisted with the merger between Dupont and Merck in 1991 and went on to be CFO and EVP of the resulting organization, Dupont Merck. In 1995, he accepted a position as CEO of a biotech start-up, VIMRX Pharmaceuticals Inc. In 1998, VIMRx collaborated with Baxter Healthcare Corporation to acquire Nexell Therapeutics Inc., Baxter’s former Immunotherapy Division. The resulting company, under the Nexell name, was headquartered in Irvine, CA. In 2001, Dick retired from Nexell but stayed on the board and in a consulting role until the company was sold to Baxter in 2001.
From a young age, Dick also distinguished himself in sports. He got the winning hit on his 8th grade championship baseball team. He was a 2-sport star at Archmere (baseball and basketball), making All-State in basketball his senior year. His athletic successes continued in college, with Dick playing basketball at University of Delaware. Dick also played American Legion baseball (Delaware Post #1) and Semi-pro baseball (Schaefer Brewing). Among his claims to fame – he once got a hit off Eddie Feigner in a fast pitch softball game against the King & His Court softball team (reportedly equal to getting a hit off Sandy Koufax).
Dick was also a part owner and board member of MedLab, and a former member of the Greenville Country Club, Wilmington Country Club and Dupont Country Club, as well as a board member and supporter of various organizations throughout the area.
Dick is predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn Harris Dunning, his parents, and his brother Michael Dunning (Clare). He is survived by his two daughters: Kristin Dunning and Megan Argo (Chris), son, Keith Dunning, and his granddaughter, Janice Argo. He is also survived by his brothers Steve Dunning (Rosemary), Joe Dunning (Ellen), John Dunning (Diane), Bob Dunning (Christine), Jim Dunning (Farzin), and Edward Dunning (Maureen), his sister, Mary Jane Castellano (Gene), as well as many other relations and friends.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 11:00 am to 11:30 am, and a memorial service and reception at the funeral home will follow.
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