LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Richard Byron, successful
businessman and influential community leader

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Richard Byron of Orchard Park, New York, died on July 8,
2013, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born in Buffalo, New York, Richard Byron was a 1942 graduate
of Bennett High School; and
WHEREAS, He served his country as a member of the United States Army
in an engineering combat battalion, responsible for demolition work and
building bridges in Europe during World War II; he attained the rank of
Master Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze star; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Richard Byron
attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he earned a degree in
metallurgical engineering in 1949; and
WHEREAS, He later joined the executive development program at Republic
Steel Corporation but left to assist his father's company, C.H. Byron
Co., Inc., an industrial steel construction and painting contracting
business, when his father became ill; and
WHEREAS, Richard Byron owned and operated the company for 43 years,
retiring in 1993; the company worked on many large-scale construction
projects in the Buffalo area, including what was then Rich Stadium, the
home of the Buffalo Bills; and
WHEREAS, Richard Byron distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Richard Byron had a lifelong passion for flight, as a bird
watcher and an aviation historian; he traveled extensively for a chance
to catch sight of new bird species; and
WHEREAS, Richard Byron's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Richard Byron was an early leader in the Buffalo Audubon
Society and a longtime member of the Buffalo Ornithological Society and
Aero Club of Buffalo; he was also one of the leaders in the establish-
ment of the Niagara Aerospace Museum and served as its executive direc-
tor, curator and senior historian; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Richard Byron was inducted into the Niagara Frontier
Aviation and Space Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Richard Byron is survived by his wife, the former Barbara
"Bobby" Robins; a daughter, Rachel Moore; and two sons, Charles H. II
and Andrew H.; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Richard Byron leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Richard Byron, successful businessman and influential
community leader; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Richard Byron.