BEL AIR, Md.—Richard Douglas Fogarty, who held executive positions in the optical industry for nearly 30 years, passed away here Aug. 25 at the age of 51. He had residences in both Jarrettsville, Md., and North Street, Michigan.

Fogarty, who most recently was a senior vice president of retail operations for EyeFit Vision Centers, a division of UnitedHealthcare Vision, was recognized as a passionate, results-driven team leader with a knack for driving retail excellence. He held the position at EyeFit Vision since 2010 and was based in Baltimore during that time.

Before joining EyeFit Vision, Fogarty was a vice president of retail merchandise and marketing at SVS Vision, a Mount Clemens, Mich.-based multi-location retail chain, where he worked for 12 years and played key roles in marketing, purchasing, sales promotions, customer service and events, among other functions. Previously, he worked as director of retail operations at Eyeglass Factory in Ferndale, Mich.

Born in Port Huron, Mich., Fogarty began his career in the optical business in 1988 after spending about two years in Nashville, where he worked as a musician, cut a record album and spent time touring the U.S. as part of a band. He noted that “distasteful experiences in the musical business” led him into the decision to begin his career in the optical business.

He met his wife, Felicia (nee Deskins), in the optical business.

Fogarty graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., and while attending the school he held a side job cleaning fish for a Great Lakes fishing business. He also studied abroad in Spain, and became fluent in several languages.

Fogarty was a longstanding member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Port Huron, Mich., and the Timonium Presbyterian Church in Timonium, Md.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Gareth and Rhiannon; his mother, Linda Fogarty; his siblings, Joseph (Heidi) Fogarty and Amy (Bryan) Balon; several nieces and nephews; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, William (Diane) Deskins. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry J. Fogarty.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, in Westminster Presbyterian Church in Port Huron. Memorial donations may be made to the family.