Quentin R. Risher
Vietnam War Navy Veteran
TEWKSBURY: Quentin R. “Rish” Risher, age 80, of Tewksbury, died Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, following a long battle with heart disease.
Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on October 30, 1935, he was the son of the late Eugene A. and Violet I. (Cope) Risher.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Dorothy A. (Lacey) Risher; his three sons and their wives, Gene and Adrienne Risher of Nashua, NH, Kenneth and Leisa Risher and Robert and Brenda Risher all of Billerica, MA; eight grandchildren, Natalya, William, Mary, Patrick, Andrew, Michaela, Samuel, and Rebecca; his brother, Barth Risher of Logansport, IN; his sister, Shirley (Risher) Holland of Bowling Green, KY; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and long-time friends.
Quentin served in the United Sates Navy for 16 years. During his Navy career, he was a member of Operation Deep Freeze II, III and IV in Antarctica, as well as the Atlantic Fleet Pistol Team. He received several decorations for his military service including four Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal, the Antarctica Service medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Quentin retired from active duty in 1968 as a Radar Operator First Class from the destroyer, U.S.S. New.
Following his service in the Navy, he worked for M.I.T. Draper Labs, Analog Devices, Inc., and BAE Systems until his retirement in 2004.
In recent years, “Rish” and Dot enjoyed reconnecting with his fellow shipmates at many naval ship reunions.
He enjoyed many interests including a passion for acting, and was a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). “Rish” also performed in many stage productions with the Billerica Community Theatre, the Wilmington Spotlighters, and the North reading Theater Workshop.
He was a former Boy Scout Master of Troop 47 in Tewksbury, and was an active member of the Merrimack Valley Pistol League and the Thomas Talbot Masonic Lodge.
Calling hours are Tuesday, April 5, from 4-8 p.m. (Masonic Service at 7 p.m.) at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 6, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Brigham & Women’s Hospital Development Office, 116 Huntington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116 or online at
www.giving.brighamandwomens.org/donate.