Richard Noble Green

GREEN, Richard Noble, 82, most recently of Harrisonburg, Va., passed away on September 26, 2022. He was born on August 10, 1940 to the late Thomas and Frances Green in Richmond, Virginia.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Carolyn Green; children, Robin and Jason Albus, Shelby and Curtis Roberts, Peggy and Chuck Carnes; grandchildren, Jordan, Amy, Jessica, Abby, Sydney, Thomas, James, Jonathan, Andrew and Katie. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jane Sydney Meloy. Richard graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959, Va. Tech in 1963 and later received a Master of Science and Degree of Engineering from George Washington University. Richard began his career with NASA in 1963 and retired in 2001. During that time, he was part of the team that developed the orbit analysis methods that enabled the 1970s Viking mission for landing on Mars, the first successful landing on another planet.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Richard developed new methods to study the radiative balance: a critical part of understanding our climate system and climate change. For this research, Richard was given the NASA Langley Reid Award as research paper of the year. His later work left a lasting impact on NASA's missions to other planets and on our ability to understand the past, present and future of our own planet, for which he received NASA's prestigious Science Award.

After retiring, Richard and Carolyn served as missionaries in Costa Rica, where they taught school. Richard loved the adventures of traveling with his grandkids "RV" style and sharing his pearls of wisdom. As a devoted husband, father, grandfather, family gatherings were the best of times.

Services will be held on October 1, 2022, at Bliley's Funeral Home (3801 Augusta Ave., Richmond, Va. 23230) at 2 p.m.; reception following. Burial will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: First Baptist Church (Benevolent Missions), 12716 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, Va. 23606; or, a Disaster Relief or Aid to Immigrant Organization of your choice.