Richard Leon Solar

Richard Leon Solar of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, passed away on March 8, 2026, at the age of 86. Though he divided his time between New York City, Vero Beach, and the Berkshires, his heart always belonged to the hills of Western Massachusetts. A man of high integrity, he was uniquely purposeful yet persistently unserious, bringing warmth and humor to every part of his life.

Born in Brookline in 1939, Dick attended Belmont Hill School, where his mischievous “bad boy” streak was well known. He later channeled that energy into his studies at Harvard College and earned an MBA from Columbia Business School. His career began at Bankers Trust, where he rose through the ranks, before serving as CFO of Gerber Childrenswear and helping guide the company through its IPO. He later served as a Board Director for Marvel, playing a key role in the development of its movie studio and its eventual sale to The Walt Disney Company. Beyond his own professional accomplishments, Dick took genuine interest in the careers of others and found deep satisfaction in helping them succeed.

A dedicated supporter of the arts, Dick served on the boards of the Barrington Stage Company and the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. He was generous with both his time and resources, supporting friends and their causes while remaining deeply committed to the communities he called home. He was happiest in the company of his close friends at favorite spots like JG Melon in the city and the Old Mill in the Berkshires. An early adopter of Jersey Mike’s subs, he loved roadside dives and maintained that a hot dog could, and should, count as a snack. He collected antiques and vintage cars that rarely ran properly, a fact he was always the first to joke about. Dick loved going out to dinner with family, always ordering fries for the table and insisting on a dessert to share. A voracious reader with a keen sense of humor, he enjoyed coffee ice cream, Motown, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, and had an unlikely but enthusiastic appreciation for Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me.” Above all, he believed in the joy of the moment and often remarked that the best sound in the world was a cocktail shaker, because it meant someone was about to have a good time.

Dick’s greatest devotion was to his wife, Stephanie Bennett Solar. After meeting in New York City, their connection led to a loving marriage of 57 years. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Bennett Solar; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and George Rand of Weston, Massachusetts; his grandson, Jack Rand of Weston; and his son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Eleanor Solar of New York City. He was a one-of-a-kind presence who will be deeply missed.