R. W. “Dick” Cunningham; Maritime Curator

R.W. “Dick” Cunningham, curator emeritus of the Ventura County Maritime Museum, died Nov. 10 at his daughter’s home in Big Bear City, Calif. He was 76.

Cunningham was born on May 17, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo. His father was a career officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, his mother an electronics engineer.

In 1941, Cunningham enlisted in the Marine Corps and served until 1946. The military awarded him the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for directing artillery fire away from the USS California. He was injured in the incident, and, while his wounds healed, he created a popular cartoon strip of military humor called “Field Notes” that enjoyed a long run in military newspapers.

After the war, Cunningham lived in Los Angeles, where he worked for Bekins Moving and Storage, a company that also specializes in setting up traveling exhibits. In 1960, he became a museum and exhibit designer, and in 1976, he helped found Exhibit Group LA. Among the museums he helped plan was the Parc Oceanique Cousteau in Paris.

In 1990, Cunningham moved to Ventura and became the founding curator of the county’s Maritime Museum, where he guided the creation and building of numerous exhibits. He also wrote numerous articles and historical pieces about California maritime history. And he wrote “California Indian Watercraft,” a book about American Indian kayaks, canoes and boats.

As part of the research for his book, he built several models, which were donated to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. He donated his extensive library to the Central Coast Maritime Museum Assn. in San Luis Obispo County.

“Dick Cunningham designed this entire museum,” said Mark Bacin, executive director of the Ventura County museum. “He was a very hard worker, and very knowledgeable about many things. He liked to refer to himself as the resident curmudgeon, but he had a very large heart.”

Cunningham retired in 1995, and was named curator emeritus. He continued to consult with museum staff about exhibits.

Two months ago, when the cancer he had battled for years became more advanced, Cunningham moved to Big Bear City to live with his daughter.

“He was a great father,” said daughter Ann Licone. “He was a very compassionate man who was proud of his family.”

In addition to Licone, Cunningham is survived by three granddaughters. A private service was held in Big Bear City. A memorial fund has been established in Cunningham’s honor at the Ventura County Maritime Museum.

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