" Richard R. Vettel of
Winthrop, MA, known as Rich, died December 21, 2019, at
Massachusetts General Hospital after a three-year battle with
complications from a spinal cord injury. He was born on April
14, 1951 in the Bronx, New York, the only child of Raymond R. Vettel
and Marie (Bocchieri) Vettel. Rich attended Fordham Prep and Fordham
University, graduating with a B.S. in business administration
in 1973. Rich was the founder and CEO of UnitechEDI, Inc., a software
publishing enterprise. He modeled integrity, honesty and a passion for
his customers in all his business dealings.
Rich met his wife and soulmate Niki (Scher) at the
Bitterroot Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming, in August, 1989, where Rich, an
intuitively talented horseman and Niki, a beginning equestrian,
discovered their shared passion for riding horses, and love of
“Spin and Marty.” Rich moved to Winthrop, MA in
1991, and Niki and Rich married on the Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming, in February 1995. Rich would say that his wedding day was the
happiest day of his life, and that Niki made every day an adventure.
Rich embraced his adopted city of Boston, and, as he had in
his years as a New Yorker, walked miles and miles, exploring the
history and looking for the next incredible eating adventure. In
addition to riding, walking, and eating great food, Rich loved the
guitar. He played from the time he was 12, forming groups and
eventually playing lead guitar with and managing Jason Exit, a popular
band in the Bronx and environs during the 1970’s. His love of
music propelled him to becoming a booking agent and eventually founding
the newspaper Musicians Classified, before he
turned his attention to computing. A born entrepreneur, Rich
holds the patent on a guitar strap lock he invented at age 19. His
entrepreneurial spirit was a constant, and his inventions and
improvements included computer software, hardware safeguards and guitar
pedals.
Rich continued to play guitar until his final
days; his great joy was collaborating with his dear friend Jerry Twomey
on Beatles tunes. Known privately as “the stunada
brothers,” they brought musical happiness to patients at the
various care facilities and hospital floors that Rich occupied during
his rehabilitation. Sustained by formidable food cooked by Sandra
Curzi, Jerry’s wife, they ate and sang their way through
Boston. Rich’s culinary adventures were not limited to the
U.S.; along with great friends Patricia and John Nelson, the foursome,
dubbed “The Provençal Pals,” enjoyed a
memorable trip through Provence, eating and laughing their way through
that remarkable countryside.
Rich delighted in all things Irish, and his favorite holiday
was St. Patrick’s Day: for many years, Rich rode a beautiful
horse down Fifth Avenue in the New York City St. Patrick’s
Day Parade, as part of the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Equestrian
Unit. Normally shy and reserved Rich would wave wildly to an adoring
crowd, especially when he rode the magnificent palomino, Amadeus. He
enthusiastically supported his wife’s PBS productions, of
which she was an executive producer, and was Perry Como’s
favorite companion in Dublin during the taping of “Perry
Como’s Irish Christmas.” Additionally, he played an
important role in the tapings of Dr. Wayne Dyer’s PBS
specials, as the official show “timer.” Her proud
champion, Rich made Niki’s second career as a mental health
clinician possible with his unwavering love and encouragement.
He was an ardent supporter of Winthrop restaurants, the Ferry, the
Winthrop Playmakers, and was thrilled to play in the pit band for their
presentation of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” He was
committed heart and soul to Niki; living on the water in Winthrop, MA
was a dream come true for both of them.
Rich is survived by Niki, his devoted wife; his beloved aunt
Rose Bocchieri Zarba, the extended Zarba family of cousins, nephews and
nieces; his goddaughters Christine (Thomas) Roussel, Ed, Eddie, Luke
and Abby Roussel; and Katie Thomas. He leaves behind friends
who loved his dry wit and caring nature, and a legacy as a gentle soul,
grateful to everyone who he met on his life journey. “We are
not human beings having spiritual experiences; we are Spiritual beings,
having human experiences.” (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)