NEWS

Rick was his parents' best Christmas present, arriving on December 26, 1948. His parents, Donna Hartnett and Richard “Dick” F. Hartnett resided in Winthrop, Massachusetts, at the time of his birth and after that welcomed his two younger sisters, Nancy Hartnett Thatcher and Lisa Hartnett. Rick was a lively child who enjoyed playing practical jokes on his siblings and parents and he developed his love for horses early on, with a pony also named Ricky.

As a teenager, Rick worked for Donald “Don” J. Little, who introduced him to the game of polo. Although left-handed, Rick quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the highest-rated players at Myopia Polo Club, in Hamilton, Massachusetts. At age 13, he was featured as an athlete to watch by Sports Illustrated. Rick’s illustrious but brief show business career included teaching Steve McQueen how to play polo and appearing in the original “The Thomas Crown Affair,” released in 1968. Along with friends, Peter Poor and David Roberts, Rick continued to play competitive polo all over the Northeast. Rick ultimately reached a handicap of 4 goals, which he retained for over 20 years.

Rick graduated from Hamilton Wenham Regional High School and then Norwich University (Northfield, Vermont), as an Army officer, with a degree in Business Management. Rick attended Officer Training School at Fort Benning, Georgia. By the end of the Vietnam War, Rick was never deployed and found himself back home in Hamilton earlier than planned. Don Little recommended to Rick that he join the training program at Kidder Peabody, an investment banking company in Boston, Massachusetts, where Don also worked. Rick subsequently earned his Series 7 and several additional securities licenses over his very successful five decades in the securities business.

It was at Kidder Peabody where Rick met Gynna Gutshaw, whom he married in 1973. Together, they welcomed daughters Taryn Elizabeth Hartnett in 1975 and Britten Knauer Hartnett in 1977. Rick and Gynna subsequently divorced, and Rick married Ann Durbin Fawcett, welcoming son Richard “Willie” Wilson Hartnett in 1981. Thereafter, Rick purchased the property that would be named Mill Pond Farm in Rowley, Massachusetts. Rick’s love for mowing grass, moving sprinklers and raking leaves were constantly on display at his farm.

Rick was a wonderful horse show father who would rise at dawn on weekend mornings to spend innumerable hours at horse shows, roasting in the sun, freezing in the cold, or soaking in the rain. He was deeply devoted to his children and his grandchildren, and he would force anyone he could to watch videos of them. Rick was also very fond of calling people early in the morning, being an early riser, and leaving long, meandering voicemails that would always bring a smile to the recipients.

Rick served as Captain of Polo at Myopia Polo Club. He continued playing the sport at historic clubs such as Saratoga Polo Club (Greenwich, New York), Greenwich Polo Club (Greenwich, Connecticut) and Palm Beach Polo and Country Club (Wellington, Florida), amongst others. Rick was a force to be reckoned with on the field. He never saw a line that wasn’t his. Playing polo with his son, Willie, was one of Rick’s greatest pleasures. Rick’s string of polo ponies was admired wherever he played. He was an active member of the United States Polo Association, including serving as Vice Chairman and Handicap Chairman. In his later years, Rick retired from playing polo, but was an invaluable cheerleader and coach to Willie and his son-in-law Avery Chapman. Rick’s love of horses never waned.

In 2002, Rick purchased a property in Aiken, South Carolina, which he developed into a beautiful polo and equestrian turn-out facility, and where he eventually retired. Rick loved talking to strangers, laughing and above all, his family. He will be remembered for his big heart, incredible sense of humor, dry and acerbic wit, long-winded stories and legendary dance moves.

Rick was predeceased by his father, Dick and daughter Britten Hartnett Tyler. He is survived by his mother, Donna, sisters Nancy and Lisa, wife Ann, his stepson Courtney Fawcett, step-daughter-in-law, Heidi Sawyer Fawcett, daughter Taryn, son-in-law Avery Chapman, granddaughter Gray, son-in-law Wat Tyler III, grandson Wat Tyler IV, granddaughter Lila Tyler, son Willie, daughter-in-law Katy Moore Hartnett, and grandsons Winfield and Fletcher.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rick’s honor to the Britten Hartnett Tyler Foundation or the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30pm ET on Saturday, January 21, 2022, at New Bridge Polo & Country Club, 361 Paloma Lane, Aiken, South Carolina 29805.