Richard Wayne ‘Rich’ LeDuc

It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of Richard Wayne “Rich” LeDuc on Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Myrtle Beach following a long illness. Rich was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Son of the late Lillian E. (Desrochers) and Oliver N. LeDuc, Rich grew up in Naugatuck, Conn., and graduated from Naugatuck High School and from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass. He proudly served in both the Connecticut and Massachusetts Army National Guard for a total of six years while attending school and beginning a lifelong career in the building sciences and construction industry. Rich’s early professional life was rooted in structural and civil engineering prior to joining C.H. Nickerson & Company, Inc. General Contractors in Torrington, Conn. During his tenure with Nickerson, he served as vice president of construction specializing in water and wastewater plants and energy facilities. He subsequently launched his own construction and design/build company, Axons Incorporated, where he thrived in operating this highly successful business for more than 25 years, developing numerous notable commercial buildings, national and community bank branches, retail centers and custom homes.

After relocating to North Myrtle Beach in 2009, Rich formed RL Consulting wherein he provided leadership and oversight to engineering firms and contractors, specializing in highly complex structural steel designs and projects throughout the southeastern United States. Rich later joined InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., where he enjoyed supporting the development and construction of IHG’s various franchise hotels as a member of the Architecture + Design New Construction field team.

Rich is survived by his wife of 29 years, Daryl (Stewart) LeDuc; his son, Jason LeDuc; daughter, Nicole LeDuc; granddaughter, Mackenzie Farrell; siblings, Oliver LeDuc (Janice) and Carol Henderson (James); and several nieces, nephews and their families.

Rich will always be remembered for his big, easy smile, his fierce devotion to family and friends, his strength of character and unparalleled work ethic, and his fun-loving, spontaneous and generous spirit. He was a passionate aviator who loved to pilot his Baron, and especially enjoyed frequent trips with family and friends to the islands off the New England coast. Rich was an enthusiastic fan of football, hockey, tennis, skiing, golf and SCUBA diving – pursuing each of these hobbies with abundant energy and talent. He loved the beach, the world’s oceans and traveling, and he eagerly embraced all kinds of adventure and new experiences. Above all, Rich deeply loved his precious Golden Retrievers and delighted in the abundant joy of sharing life with them.

A celebration of life honoring Rich will be held in the summer at a date to be later determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rich’s name to the charity near and dear to his heart, Canine Angels Service Dogs (www.canineangelsusa.org). Located in Little River, CASD rescues dogs from local shelters and trains them as service dogs for disabled veterans, first responders and children with autism.