Obituary of Richard Nicholas Carpenter

In Loving Memory of

Richard Nicholas Carpenter

June 23, 1956 – August 12, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard Carpenter, 67. Born in Bangor, Maine, Richard Carpenter moved with his family to St. Petersburg he was a young child, where Richard’s father, Murray Carpenter, went on to establish one the first FM radio stations to play rock music in the Tampa Bay area. Murray’s entrepreneurship left an indelible mark on Richard—after going on to graduate from Lakewood High School and earning a Bachelor’s Degree and M.B.A. from the University of South Florida, Richard made a career for himself in consulting on employee benefit plans for some of the country’s top accounting and consulting firms. But perhaps inevitably, barely 40 years old, Richard followed in his father’s footsteps to start his own benefits consulting companies, the Technical Answer Group, and later, USVI Pensions.

Both a dreamer and a doer, Richard chased his passions and lived his life unapologetically. Never wanting to be average or ordinary, Richard was known for having a spirited energy and confidence, a mischievous sense of humor, infectious laugh, unending curiosity, and of course, the trademark mustache and Hawaiian shirt. For the last 16 years of his life, Richard wholly embraced his semi-retirement—fishing, golfing, reading, and proudly living as “off the grid” as he could practically justify. Ask Richard how he was doing, and he would respond, “I don’t think I could be much better than I am today.”

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Murray and Marie Carpenter; siblings Carol Ketchum and Nancy Cook; and his wife, Robin Carpenter. Richard is survived by his children, Jennifer Kane, Rachel Sansone, and Aaron Carpenter; stepdaughter, Alicia Alongi; siblings Robin Carpenter, Christopher Carpenter, and Elizabeth Lindsay; grandchildren Nico, Matteo, and Rocco Sansone and Nolan and Penelope Alongi; many nieces and nephews who adored their fun “Uncle Richard”; and a vast network of friends and colleagues who admired Richard’s ingenuity, zeal, and determination.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., where we will gather at Anderson-McQueen Family Tribute Centers, 2201 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33704 to celebrate Richard’s life and the mark he made on others.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Croix Animal Welfare Center: https://stcroixawc.org, a cause close to Richard’s heart. May Richard’s vibrant spirit find eternal peace.

To view the Service LIVE: CLICK HERE