Henry T. "Skip" Dechert

Henry T. "Skip" Dechert, of Newtown Square, PA, passed away on December 20, 2025, at the age of 85, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Skip was a man of boundless curiosity and numerous talents, from sailing and racquet sports to music and photography, and his greatest delight was sharing these interests with his beloved family members.

Born in 1940, in Philadelphia, PA, Skip was the son of Philip and Anne Ross Dechert. He was a proud alumnus of the St. Mark’s School of Southborough, MA, Yale University, and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. After practicing as a lawyer, Skip found fulfillment as an IT consultant and small business owner based in Gladwyne, PA, where he lived for thirty-five years. He was a devoted member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, the Philadelphia Charity Ball, and the Orpheus Club of Philadelphia, among others.

Skip will be lovingly remembered for his ever-present smile and easy laugh. From an early age, he could be found sailing on the waters of Buzzards Bay and spending time with family in Nonquitt, MA. He was an avid player of tennis and squash, and a loyal Philadelphia Phillies fan who closely followed the team throughout the seasons.

Skip and his cherished wife Nancy enjoyed traveling, going to the orchestra, and perfecting their ballroom dance skills. They especially loved their weekly outings to the cinema, where they were always first in their seats, books in hand to pass the time until the movie began.

Music was central to Skip’s life; he played the piano daily and was a long-time member of the Orpheus Club, where he sang with fellow members and embraced the camaraderie of music. He also had a passion for photography, rarely encountering a moment he did not wish to capture through the lens.

Skip is survived by his wife, Nancy (née Moses) Dechert; his children, Gregory Richardson, Martha Bardsley (spouse Clymer), Catherine Bernath (spouse Michael) and his son-in-law, Laurence Sisson. He is survived by his 11 grandchildren, Caroline, Bailey, and Liza Richardson, Cassandra and Samira Sisson, Luke, Christian, and Will Zeger, Charles Bardsley, Samuel and Oliver Bernath, as well as his brother, Philip Dechert, and his former wife, Deborah Payson. Skip is predeceased by his beloved children, George Dechert and Tracy Sisson, as well as his sister, Frances Ricketson.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Skip's life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at St. Christopher's Church in Gladwyne, PA, at 3:00 PM. The kindness and joy he brought to so many will be honored as friends and family gather to pay their respects and remember him.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Mark’s School, https://www.stmarksschool.org/giving, or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Delaware Valley, https://www.alz.org/delval.