COX, Richard E “Dick” 77, of Marshfield, formerly of Lynnfield, died at home surrounded by his family on Feb. 7, 2012 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on Jan. 20, 1935 to Benjamin and Ann (George) Cox, the family lived on a large farm in Lynnfield that was later divided by the building of Route 128. Deeply devoted to his family, he is survived by his loving wife and partner of 20 years, Betty Mulroy Cox. Father of Richard Cox, Jr. (Valerie Whittier) of Chelmsford, Valerie Cox of Methuen, Elizabeth Bean (Jim) of Wolfeboro, NH, Jennifer Cox of Northfield, Jacqueline Sly (Michael) of Medfield, David Cox (Pamela) of Bedford, and Matthew Cox (Alexandra) of Brighton; step-father of Adrienne Smith (Jim) of Pembroke and Andy Leicester (Tamara) of Charlotte, NC. Grandfather of Christopher Cox, Matthew, Sarah and Allison Bean, Eleanor Cox, Nicole and Drew Sly, Winter Cox, Maxwell Cox, Zachary and Sage Smith, and James Leicester. Brother of Ben Cox, Jr. (Melody) of Meneffee CA, former spouse of Nancy. Dick’s determination and courage has been an inspiration to all, and he will be dearly missed.
Dick attended St. John’s Prep in Danvers, graduating in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army at Camp Leonard Wood in an engineering unit. Dick went on to the Lincoln Institute at MIT and graduated from Tufts where he received Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees, and was elected to Tau Beta Pi. He went on to have a multi-decade engineering career in New England with both private sector companies and the federal government.
Dick relished scientific invention, particularly in the field of electro-optics, and held a number of patents. One of his proudest achievements was supporting the design and building of space cameras that were part of the 1960s drive take a man to the moon; those cameras hang today in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. A voracious reader who loved the ocean, he also traveled widely with Betty to favorite places including Kailua, Hawaii, where they lived for five years, and the Island of Ischia in Italy. He will always be remembered for his joyful family Christmas parties, quiet manner and sparkling wit.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, Feb. 11th at 11 am, location is First Church in Pembroke, MA, 105 Center St./Route 14 in Pembroke Center. Internment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. John’s Preparatory 72 Spring St Danvers, MA. 01923. https://www.stjohnsprep.org/