Richard Brown Sherman, 81, of Rockingham, died Monday, March 30, 2009, at Penick Village in Southern Pines. He had been an Alzheimer's patient for 10 years.

Dick was born Dec. 1, 1927, in Minnesota, a son of the late Guy and Edris Brown Sherman. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. Following his tenure in the Navy, he graduated from San Diego State University, obtaining a degree in industrial psychology.

Dick traveled all 50 states and 40 countries as a stage manager for international conferences and theater productions including "Up With People." His great love was the water, captaining "The Beaver," a self-propelled barge in Michigan and a ferry in the Long Island Sound. For many years, he and his wife owned and operated Sherman & Sherman Inc., specializing in interior design for restaurants. His sisters, Venita Griffith and Mary Thomason, preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Cree Deane Sherman of the home; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Charles and Myra Deane, of Rockingham, Carol and John Becker, of Edenton and 13 nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Dick's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah with the Rev. Patsy Smith officiating. Private interment will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Penick Village Foundation, P.O. Box 2001, Southern Pines, NC 28388 or to the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, P.O. Box 1313, Rockingham, NC 28380.

The family would like to thank Dr. Stanley Vetter, of Rockingham, and Dr. Jeffrey N. Binney of Pinehurst, for their kindness and caring during Dick's illness.

Condolences may be made online at www.carterfuneral.net.