Meet Dick Tracy

If anyone has had a fascinating life with an interesting story, you know it has to be someone named Dick Tracy.

Back in the 1957-58 time frame, Dick of Westhampton (not the comic strip character portrayed by Warren Beatty in the 1990 film) traveled to Washington D.C. as a college student to participate in National 4-H Conference. There, he met President Dwight Eisenhower, who exalted the 4-H’ers as “the cream of the crop” when he addressed them in the Rose Garden.

Not only that, Dick also met a young Senator named John F. Kennedy and sat in his senate seat.

For a man who mingled with presidents, Dick had a simple upbringing. He grew up on a farm in Westhampton. His family were dairy farmers at Intervale Farm. Between the ages of 9 and 20, Dick participated in 4-H. He attended Camp Howe in Goshen each summer. “4-H was such a vital part of my life when I was young,” said Dick. “It had a big impact on my growing up and my belief system.”

As an adult, Dick continued his 4-H involvement as a maintenance person at Camp Howe, as a 4-H club leader, and with the 4-H All Stars, with whom he attended a national conference in the early 1960s.

Dick and his wife, Janice, married on September 27, 1958, and raised four children  who all participated in 4-H. Their son Rick now raises vegetables at Intervale Farm for farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) groups, and restaurants.

Dick’s only regret is that he didn’t share with President Obama his belief that 4-H belongs in cities as well as rural areas. “4-H is just as valid a thing today as it was 100 years ago,” he said. “I still believe in it so strongly.”

We were honored to meet Dick Tracy. We thank Dick for sharing his story with us and for supporting the Foundation for so many years.