Richard Allan Nylen of Linden Ponds in Hingham, 97, died June 15, 2022, following a brief illness.
Born in Worcester, Mass almost a full century ago on September 14, 1924 to Gertrude (Hentz) and Allan Nylen, Dick grew up in that city, working at the family
owned “Nylen’s Market” in his teens. He attended Dartmouth College, but his education was interrupted by World War II, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. On his twentieth birthday he took command of a B17 plane and crew, and as a 1st lieutenant, went on to fly 35 missions out of England. He lived to tell about the Christmas Eve when his plane was damaged in a
combat mission over Germany and he was able to pilot the crew to safety in Belgium. His plane, called the “Five Grand” was the 5,000th B-17 to be manufactured by Boeing and was signed by every person responsible for the plane’s production, including the designers, riveters, and builders.
When the war ended, Dick returned to Dartmouth to complete his college education; graduating in 1948. He went on to get his masters at Tuck Business School the following year.
Dick worked in both Providence and NYC for Dupont, in their textile division, working in merchandising and production. His office was in the Empire State Building, and while his career spanned four decades, he never took the elevator to the top until his very last day on the job.
Dick retired to his favorite place in the world, Cape Cod, where he met the love of his life, Rachael (Solimando) Cashman. They married in 1993, recently celebrating their 29th anniversary. Dick made the most of retirement, traveling the world with Rae on several memorable cruises, playing tennis into his eighties and golfing into his nineties. He was able to “golf his age” several times. He was a rabid Boston sports fan as well as a voracious reader. Dick and Rae lived in Cape Cod in spring and summer, and wintered in Sarasota, Florida, enjoying the best of the weather all year long. In 2017, they moved to Linden Ponds in Hingham, Ma.
Every one of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids could expect a card and a call on their birthday; he never forgot them. Dick loved his extended family and made each one feel special in their own way. He learned how to Zoom, Facetime, and text so that he could communicate with his loved ones throughout the pandemic.
Dick is survived by his wife Rachael Cashman Nylen of Hingham, and children Richard, Jr. (Micki) of Ipswich; Nancy (David) of Williamstown; Carol (Jim) of Portland, ME; Paul (Ellen) of Milton and Westwood, all who will miss his wit and wisdom. He is survived by nine grandchildren whose adventures he followed closely and who adored their “Grandpa Dick.” Fourteen beautiful great-grandchildren also survive him. He had a special relationship with Rae’s kids, Jay (Christy) of Boston, Jamie of Milton, and Carolyn (Jim) of Norwell and their extended families.
There will be no services but there will be a family gathering to celebrate Dick’s long and distinguished life.
Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.