Richard Harmison Green, a retired telephone sales executive and World War II veteran who had been a top lacrosse player at the Johns Hopkins University, died of stroke complications Sunday at his North Baltimore home. He was 86.
Born in Baltimore and raised on Roland Avenue, he was a 1936 graduate of Boys' Latin School. Mr. Green earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Hopkins, where he played football and basketball and was named an All-American as a lacrosse center midfielder.
Mr. Green was named to the U.S. lacrosse team that was to compete in the 1940 Olympics - games that were canceled because of World War II.
"Dick Green was one of the key players on Johns Hopkins' undefeated 1941 national championship team," said Robert Scott, a retired Hopkins coach. "Dick was a real leader of one of Hopkins' best teams ever."
In 1941, Mr. Green entered the Navy as an ensign, a product of what was known as the "90-day wonder" officer training program. Later a lieutenant commander, he served as executive officer and navigator aboard the minesweeper USS Miantonomah in the Mediterranean and the seaplane tender USS San Carlos in the Pacific. The latter ship repelled an early kamikaze attack, family members said.
In 1948, he joined Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co., where he held various positions and retired in 1982 as district sales manager.
In retirement, Mr. Green became a full-time volunteer for the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and was a consultant to the Johns Hopkins University's telecommunications department.
"Dick Green was a quality person, an important resource for the church, the Diocese of Maryland, and for me personally," said retired bishop of Maryland the Rt. Rev. David K. Leighton. "Not only did he help administer the business affairs of the diocese for over 10 years, he bought and sold properties and saw to the maintenance of all our facilities. He was a great source of counsel for me."
Mr. Green served on the boards of the Greater Homewood Community Corp. and Roland Park Civic League, and volunteered for many years with Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.
He was a longtime member of the Exchange Club, a private service organization, and the Johns Hopkins Club and L'Hirondelle Club. He enjoyed attending lacrosse games at Hopkins' Homewood Field.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. David's Church, 4700 Roland Ave., where he was a former vestryman, lay reader and senior warden.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, the former Elizabeth Settle Belknap, a Boys Scouts of America secretary; four sons, Richard M. Green of Monkton, Robert B. Green of Baltimore, Christopher B. Green of White Hall and Stephen M. Green of Washington; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.