Richard M. Penta, 80 of Lexington died January 20, 2004 unexpectedly at home.
Born in Malden, he was the son of the late Joseph and Matilda (Ciampa) Penta. Mr. Penta received his Master of Arts degree from Boston University and was employed by the Belmont School System for many years. While at Belmont he was a teacher of German, coordinator of the foreign languages and chairman of the language Department at the high school. He was past chairman of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German and a member of the language Advisory Board of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Richard was active in the German Consulate. In 1959 he was a recipient of the Fulbright Award and in 1978 the Commander’s cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his untiring efforts to further the study of the German language and culture which he loved so dearly. He was a Forester parent for several years with the Mentor Program of Boston. Mr. Penta served in the U.S. Army fro 1943 to 1946 in Australia, Luzon and Japan with the Signal Intelligence Service as a cryptographic technician. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific and American Theaters Campaign ribbons.
Mr. Penta was the beloved husband of the Dorothea Therese (Schmidt) Penta. Devoted father of Karl of Lexington, Dorlise Molloy and her husband Aiden of Sandwich. Loving grandfather of Ciara Molloy, and Aiden Molloy Jr. Brother of Robert Penta of Florida and Marlboro, and the late Rita Whorisky and Virginia Mercullo.
A graveside service will be held Thursday May 13, at 1 PM in the Gethsemane Cemetery, 670 Baker St., West Roxbury.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributuons may be sent in Richard’s memory to the Excellent in the Study of Foreign Language at Lexington High School, C/O Maryellen Samii, 251 Waltham St., Lexington, MA 02421.