Saratoga Springs, NY - Richard Francis Lyman, 83, passed away on Wednesday June 1, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.  Born May 28, 1933 in Utica, N.Y., Richard was the son of Richard Oren Lyman and Mary Margaret (Lynch)Lyman.

A graduate of SUNY Brockport, Richard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Syracuse University.  He completed additional graduate work at the University of Albany.

Richard devoted 50 years of his life to the education of children and aspiring teachers.  He was a classroom teacher in Frankfort, N.Y., and a Principal in Frankfort, Coxsackie-Athens, and Saratoga Springs City Schools for a combined total of 33 years.  Following retirement in 1990, Richard enjoyed a second career supervising student teachers at SUNY Oneonta and Skidmore College for 17 years.

In addition to his career in education, Richard proudly served for 33 years in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve, retiring with the rank of Captain.

In 1958, Richard married his devoted wife of 57 years, Gwendolyn Jane Schumaker, in Ilion, N.Y.  In addition to his wife, he is survived by their five children, Deborah (Bob) Yampey of Texas; Mary Jane (Peter) Orecki of Wynantskill; Gerald Lyman of Saratoga Springs; James (Becky) Lyman of Connecticut; and Douglas (Lori) Lyman of Virginia. Richard is also survived by his sixteen grandchildren, Sherry (David) Galkiewicz; Devin (Sara) Lyman, KrisJon (Rebecca) Lyman, Brandy, Richard, and Kyrsten Lyman; Robert "J.P." (Adriana) Yampey; Juliet (Roberto) Porras; Keith (Tammi) Yampey; Maggie (Donavon) Rambaran; Alisen and Kelley Yampey; Michael (Kayla) Orecki; Nicholas, Patrick, and Katie Orecki. Additional survivors include his brother, David (Georgia) Lyman; his brother-in-law, Glenn (Gale) Schumaker; sisters-in-law, Marion (predeceased George) Schumaker; Carol (Robert) Grimm, and several beloved nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his faithful K-9 companion, Sammi.

Relatives and friends may call from 5 to 8pm Monday, June 6, 2016 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). A funeral home service will be at 10:30am Tuesday and burial with military honors will follow at 12noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville.

Donations may be made to the Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga, NY, 12866 or the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, N.Y. 12020.

The Lyman family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Nurse Karen Murdick of Community Hospice of Saratoga for her outstanding care of Richard and her support of the entire family.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com