Joseph Randolph Updyke

Randy passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, Oct. 22, under hospice care, with his beloved wife, Carol, by his side.

Randy was kind, generous, curious, witty and confident — qualities that guided him throughout his remarkable life. He was raised and educated in Pennsylvania: Mercersburg Academy, Penn State and Dickinson Law School, earning his Juris Doctor and passing the bar exam. Although he chose not to practice law, his work as a stockbroker prepared him to launch his own hedge fund in the early 1970s, a time when hedge funds were still in their infancy. His daily discipline of reading three to four newspapers, his constant curiosity and his keen attention to the markets allowed him to build a successful career and create a life filled with adventure and opportunity.

Randy’s success afforded him the joy of sharing the world with his family, whom he loved dearly. He had many passions—bird hunting with his beloved English Setters and Golden Retrievers, raising and showing Peruvian Paso horses, fishing, skiing, collecting antiques and fine art, and appreciating the beauty of the natural world. One of his greatest joys was purchasing a beautiful plantation on the Combahee River in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where he could bring all of his interests together. There, he planted in the rice fields and cultivated them for waterfowl, eventually drawing more than 10,000 ducks each season. True to his nature, he limited friends to just two birds each, as he was protective of them. During those early morning hunts, he was chilled by the primeval sound as they flew in.

Randy developed close friendships with Peruvian horse breeders both in Peru and in the U.S., deepening his knowledge of bloodlines and producing 13 National Champion of Champions horses. After his years at the plantation, he permanently moved west, finding a deep joy in Idaho's mountains. He enjoyed horseback riding with friends Jo Heiss and Cheryl Hymas, spent countless winters skiing with his dear friend Jack Crawford, and playing tennis for more than 20 years at Zenergy with Rob Kolb, creating countless exciting memories with his friends in the outdoors and on the courts.

Randy was active in many clubs and served on numerous boards of directors: Spoleto Festival USA, South Carolina ETV, Sun Valley Opera, The Annenberg Center and Valley Green Watershed.

However, he found his greatest fulfillment in mentoring and encouraging others—offering guidance, inspiration and opportunities to those seeking a fuller life. His life, love and generosity have touched countless people and will continue to live on through all those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol; his sons, Bradley, Christian and Reid, and their mother, Normandie; five grandchildren; stepbrother Walt; and half-sister Mary Kay.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary home health care team—Colette, Kendric, Raymond, Christina and Bill—for their exemplary care, and to Hospice and the Senior Connection for their compassion, guidance and support.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family using the guestbook section below.