Archibald Douglas Obituary

Archibald Douglas III NARRAGANSETT, RI - Archibald Douglas III of Narragansett, RI, died March 19 after long illness bravely borne. Born July 18, 1929 in New York City, he attended Buckley School, St. Paul's School, and Yale University '52. He also served proudly as a Marine lieutenant in the Korean War. A business executive at many companies, he found his greatest success at Kingsford and Wite-Out, Inc. Archie's life was distinguished by fierce competitiveness and accomplishment. A superior athlete at St. Paul's, in 1947 he became the first non-senior to win the Gordon Medal. As a senior, he traveled to England as a member of the Winant Volunteers, serving war-torn Britain and receiving a royal audience with the King. At Yale, his proudest affiliation was his 3-year participation on the ice hockey team under legendary coach Murray Murdoch. The 1951-1952 team, arguably the finest in Yale's history, ascended to the finals of the NCAA tournament. He loved to regale his children with stories of how he was a poor skater but "good in the corners." Most memorable was his tale of spitting his false teeth onto the ice to draw a major penalty against any opposing player who checked him. Archie won the National Junior Squash Championships at 18 and went on to excel in racquet sports throughout his life. From Old Black Point CT,Gates Mills OH, Louisville KY, Princeton NJ and finally Narragansett RI, he and his wife Wayne competed vigorously and loudly as a team in tennis and paddle tennis for decades, while miraculously staying married. Blessed with a strong tenor voice, Archie loved to sing and play the piano. He participated in the St. Paul's School Choir, the O's & B's at Yale, and was a passionate extra for the Louisville Opera, his oft repeated solo - "The Supper's Ready" - becoming a matter of family lore. He also performed in memorable musical revues at the Louisville Country Club. Archie was a founding Board member of St. Francis School in Louisville. He led the fundraising campaign for the St. Paul's Class of 1948's 50th reunion, resulting in a new record for contributions. In his 70s, he served on the Board of Governors of the Yeamans Hall Club in Charleston, SC where he and Wayne made their winter home. He enjoyed a lifelong love for fishing and hunting, nurtured by boyhood summers spent at the Adirondack League Club in Old Forge, New York. Archie introduced each of his children and grandchildren to the world of fly-fishing for trout on Little Moose Lake and the South Branch of the Moose River, a world that, for him, possessed almost mystical power and significance. Later in life, he developed a passion for the pursuit of Atlantic salmon, traveling to northern Quebec and Labrador and twice to Russia. He also enjoyed frequent trips to New Brunswick's famed Miramichi River. In retirement, when not fishing for salmon, trout, bonefish, bluefish, or striped bass, Archie devoted himself to the pursuit of birdies, eagles and pars. He remained a dedicated golfer even after being declared legally blind. His keen memory and understanding of each course's challenges meant that he was always a threat to win the hole. He could be counted upon to explain that he was a great putter but needed distance. Archie is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Wayne Goss Douglas, his daughters Daisy Savage, Eliza McErlean and Deirdre Carey, his son Archibald Douglas IV, eight grandchildren, his brother and sister Geoffrey Douglas and Eleanor Douglas, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. His brother, James A.M. Douglas, predeceased him. Archie will be missed terribly by all but the trout of Little Moose Lake and the salmon of eastern Canada. They can finally relax; their nemesis has passed on. A memorial service is planned for April 5 at 11am at St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 72 Central Street, Narragansett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Archie's name to South County Hospital, 100 Kenyon Street, Wakefield, RI 02879 and St. Paul's School, 325 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston