Dick Hoyt obituary announced his passing on March 17, 2021.
Dick Hoyt, a runner famous for pushing his son in a wheelchair during races, gained recognition for participating in the Boston Marathon and other races while pushing his son, Rick, in wheelchair.
He passed away at the age of 80 due to congestive heart failure at his home in Holland, Massachusetts.
Apart from Dick Hoyt, we do not have information about anyone else who died on March 17. Rick Hoyt was born with cerebral palsy, which left him unable to walk or speak.
His parents had a computer developed for him that allowed him to communicate by tapping letters with his head.
Dick Hoyt obituary did not reveal details about his funeral and visitation services.
At the age of 15 in 1977, he asked his father to help him take part in a charity run for a paralyzed classmate. Hoyt, who was not a runner at the time, ran the race with his son, and both discovered a passion for running.
In preparation for their first Boston Marathon, Hoyt trained by pushing his son’s wheelchair with a bag of cement inside while Rick was in school.
The Hoyts participated in more than 1,000 races together, including the Boston Marathon and Ironman triathlons, with Dick pulling his son in a boat during the swimming portion and having a special seat for him on his bicycle.
In 2013, a bronze statue of the father and son was erected near the Boston Marathon’s starting line with a plaque reading “Yes You Can!”.
The duo was inducted into the Ironman Hall of Fame and honored with ESPN’s Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Dick Hoyt, in addition to being a dedicated runner with his son, was also a veteran of both the Army National Guard and Air Force National Guard.
He was a well-known inspirational speaker and author, having written the book “Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love for His Son” in 2010.
He credited his son as his motivator, saying they never thought of giving up during races.
