Richard W. “Dick” Douglass of Fairhaven, MA passed away peacefully at his home and surrounded by family on April 15, 2022, at the age of 85.
Born in Boston, MA to Victoria M. Douglass of Cambridge, MA, Dick was a graduate of Cambridge High and Latin School. He then graduated in 1957 from M.I.T. with a Bachelor of Science in metallurgy. In 1961 he received his Master of Science from Ohio State University. Dick had a lengthy career with consulting and research firms as well as his own consulting business for several years.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Vivian (Paynter) Douglass, and his sons Stephen and his wife Pamela, and Christopher and his wife Martina, his daughter Elizabeth, and his grandchildren, Casey, Brooke, Liam and Nika. He was predeceased by his son Kenneth.
For several years, Dick volunteered his time and knowledge in working with clients of the SHARE Foundation in New Bedford, MA. SHARE’s mission is to empower physically challenged, non-speaking people through life-changing assistive technology.
In his free time, prior to retiring, and then afterwards, Dick worked as a farmer by planting and running a tree farm. Subsequently, he and his family started a fundraising event to sell Christmas trees in memory of his son, Ken. This event was held for 17 years with all earnings and donations going towards fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). Those benefiting from the annual sale have been ALS-TDI, Compassionate Care ALS, and the SHARE Foundation. The success of this fundraising event was made possible by all the extended family and friends who volunteered, and the community that supported it, year after year. His joy also came in knowing that the local town improvement associations were decorating with trees from his farm.
At the request of Dick and his family, there will be no public service. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.