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RICHARD HEWLETT Obituary


HEWLETT RICHARD GREENING HEWLETT Died peacefully on September 1, 2015, at Maplewood Park Place in Bethesda, Maryland, with dear friends at his side. He was 92. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, he lived in the Washington area for 64 years. His Dartmouth education was interrupted by Army technical training at Bowdoin and Harvard, followed by service as an Army Air Force electronics-weather specialist in China during WWII. He completed his studies in 1952 at the University of Chicago, receiving a Ph.D. in history. Richard was chief historian of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and its successor agencies from 1957 - 1980. He co-authored a 3-volume AEC history and a history of the Nuclear Navy which received critical acclaim and several awards. Known as the dean of federal historians, he helped to establish historical offices in other federal agencies and was instrumental in the birth of the Society for History in the Federal Government and the National Council on Public History. He was also active in the Society of the History of Technology. In retirement he co-founded and was chairman of the pioneering history company History Associates Incorporated, where he mentored colleagues and wrote a biography of the philanthropist Jessie Ball DuPont. He was a faithful member of St. John's Episcopal Church. In 1978 he was appointed as the historiographer of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, a role which expanded to include the Washington National Cathedral, where he established the Cathedral archives in the mid-1980s. In 2003 he was installed as an honorary canon of the Cathedral in recognition of his exceptional voluntary leadership. He was active in the Cosmos Club since 1979. His high school sweetheart and wife of 59 years, Marilyn Nesper Hewlett, died in 2005. He is survived by sister-in-law Marianne S. Hewlett; nieces, Marianne H. Hutchinson, Christine H. Kinsey, Susan C. Hewlett, eight great nieces and nephews and eight great-great-nieces and nephews. Services will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church Norwood Parish, 6701 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815 on Friday, September 25, 2015, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Toledo, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church Norwood Parish, the Washington National Cathedral, or a charity of choice. Please view and sign the guest book at www.pumphreyfuneralhome.comwww.pumphreyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from Sep. 6 to Sep. 8, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Amanda Larson

September 25, 2015

I feel very fortunate to have known and worked with Dr. Hewlett at WNC. Sending condolences to his family, he was a gift to us in many ways, and will be deeply missed.

Jill and Don Rickelman

September 23, 2015

It was such an honor to know "Dick". We have many wonderful memories of visits with Dick and Marilyn. The world has lost a very special man.

Jill and Don Rickelman (Naples, FL)

Beverlie Ludy

September 22, 2015

I was the governance officer of the Diocese of Washington during Bishop Walker's administration and worked closely with Dick when he became historiographer. What a wonderful man! We collected lots of document! He brought order to records that had not been organized well, and taught us all the importance of archival preservation. He and Marilyn were active in diocesan affairs and often seen at various events. They were a lovely couple! Thank you, Dick for enriching my life.

David Jewhurst

September 18, 2015

To my Godfather, I miss you as much as I do my own parents.

Jim Horton

September 7, 2015

A privilege to have known him.

Mary Lee McIntyre

September 7, 2015

When Dr. Hewlett was the historian for the Atomic Energy Commission, he was my first boss in the US Government. He was a very intelligent, delightful and supportive boss. Working on the history of the A-bomb was a high point in my early career. His life was extraordinary and I offer my consolelnces to his family. Thank you.

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Funeral services provided by:

Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Homes Inc. - Bethesda-Chevy Chase

7557 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814

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