Richard Beckett (Dick) DENTON QSM, J.P.
18 July 1926 – 2 August 2014
Dick Denton was a boarder at College House, Palmerston North Boys High School for three years 1941–1943. He was a house and school prefect in 1943, as well as Regimental Sergeant Major of the school Cadet Corps. He won the Balsilhe Memorial Scholarship in 1942.
Dick excelled at athletics while at PNBHS for Gordon club. He was the Junior swimming champion in 1942 and the Senior champion in 1943 and set two new school records that lasted for a number of years. In 1942 he was a member of the rugby Second XV and reserve for First XV. He was a lock for the First XV in 1943 and later went on to represent Massey Agricultural College, and Manawatu. In 1945, Dick was selected to the North Island University team to play South Island University.
Dick was awarded a Diploma in Agriculture from Massey Agricultural College in 1945. He returned to Levin in 1946 and farmed sheep and cattle on 420 acres of farmland with his wife Pam until 1987, when he sold the property to his son John Denton and his wife Diane.
Dick and Pam’s two sons both attended PNBHS as boarders: Dr Richard Denton (1964-1968) who lives in California, and John Denton (1971-1973), a Public Accountant in his own practice in Levin. John’s son Michael (2002 – 2005) attended PNBHS as a day boy.
During his life in Levin, Dick served on the Horowhenua County Council and Rural District Council (1962-1977), and in 1984 was appointed a Justice of the Peace, performing Court and Judicial duties, and sometimes served as Acting Coroner. He also served for many years as Electorate Chairman for the National Party for the Otaki and Horowhenua electorates. He was a member of the Levin Jaycees, and later the Levin Lions Club and received a 50-year badge for his service as a member of the Masonic Lodge in Levin.
Dick’s dedication to his community was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2005 when he received a Queen’s Service Medal and five years later he was one of the first recipients of a medal from the Horowhenua District Council to recognise 50 Years of Community Service.