Richard E. Chambers of Canton, Bourne, and Needham died on Sunday April 15th after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke two days earlier. He was 86 years old.
Mr. Chambers attended Everett High School, Chauncy Hall Preparatory School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering.
After serving in Japan as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, Mr. Chambers returned to Boston and spent his career at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc. (SGH), a consulting engineering firm. He specialized in Materials Technology. While at SGH, Mr. Chambers received a patent for designing a Panel Grid Module Construction System, which provided United States military aircraft with a temporary landing strip in remote areas. He also chaired a committee for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) which developed standards for the installation of buried plastic pipe. As Senior Principal, he was a recognized expert in the field of buried plastic pipe and traveled as far as Australia and Saudi Arabia for consulting projects.
After retirement, Mr. Chambers and his wife, Ann F. Chambers, moved to Bourne, MA where he pursued his lifelong interests in woodworking, photography, and international travel. Most recently, Mr. Chambers lived at North Hill in Needham, MA where he enjoyed singing with members of the community, sharing group meals, swimming, and visiting with family.
Mr. Chambers is survived by his children, Richard E. Chambers, Jr. and his wife Vivian of New York, NY, Mark G. Chambers and his wife Cynthia Canavan of Marblehead, MA, Meredith A. Chambers of Wayland, MA, Elizabeth A. Davies and her husband, Arthur of Medfield, MA, and Gregg A. Chambers and his wife, Kim of Needham, MA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Richard Chambers of Norwalk, CT, Meagan Chambers of Boston, MA, Isabella Chambers of NY, NY, Matthew Chambers of Boston, MA, Jared Chambers of New York, NY, Alexander Davies of Boston, MA, Brendan Chambers of Boston, MA, and Claire Chambers of Needham, MA as well as nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours in the Dockray and Thomas 455 Washington St. Canton on Friday from 9-11AM followed by a Funeral Home Service at 11AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment Canton Corner Cemetery. United States Air Force Veteran Korean Conflict. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Richard Chambers may be made to the Neuroscience Department at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center by visiting www.bidmc.org/giving or by check made payable to “Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center” with “Richard Chambers/Neuroscience Department” in the memo line. Contributions can be mailed to: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Development, 330 Brookline Ave. (OV), Boston, Ma 02215.