Richard W. Philbrick

Richard (Dick) W. Philbrick of East Orleans, died on October 19, 2013 at Cape Cod Hospital. He was the devoted husband of Jacquelin H. Philbrick for 29 years. He was born in Belmont on December 6, 1915 to Elisabeth (Jorgenson) and Otis Philbrick. Dick went through the school system in Winchester, Mass before attending Harvard University. A renaissance man whose leadership and outstanding personal contributions to his nation and to Orleans, Dick is deserving of the sincerest recognition of his fellow citizens. Dick was a proponent of world peace and believed in the mission and hope of the United Nations. He was an environmentalist, working for clean and safe solutions to energy and resources. Dick traveled extensively. He was a collector of art, maps and antique clocks. In 1937 Dick entered the Aviation Cadet Program and earned his wings and commission in 1 938. He retired in 1959 having attained the rank of Colonel. Among his many accomplishments while in the military he photo-mapped Eastern Canada for Aeronautical Charts to guide ferry pilots en route to Europe, photo-mapped the Amazon Valley for alternate rubber sources, performed photo reconnaissance for the Allied invasion of the European Continent and managed the Casey Jones Program which photo-mapped all of Europe; One Million Sq. Miles from 20,000 Feet Altitude. During his final command at Keflavik, Iceland he was invited to join a group of scientists in Massachusetts who later formed the corporation Itek where he worked from 1960 to 1975. He became the Vice President in charge of research and development for the CORONA Program which provided cameras to cover USSRs missile launch bases. This coverage from earth-orbiting vehicles proved the non-existence of the Missile Gap and erased the underpinning of the Cold War. Dick purchased a summer home in Orleans in 1964. Upon retiring from Itek, he opened the Compass Rose Bookstore and became a year round resident. He continued to operate the bookstore until his third retirement at which time he increased his involvement in town politics. He served as a member of the Planning Board, Architectural Review Committee, and the Board of Selectmen. He continued to be interested in and to contribute to town politics until his death. Dick is survived by his wife Jacquelin, son Richard Philbrick and his wife Barbara, and four stepchildren; Brenda Goff and her husband Jack, Margaret Joyal and her husband FaReid Ibriham, Faith Joyal and her husband Robert Myers, and Jonathan Joyal and his fianc Janine Giancola. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren; Beth Morrello and her husband John, Amy Baptiste, Eric Philbrick and his wife Ashley, John Goff and his wife Jill, Brian Philbrick and his wife Cheyenne, Nathaniel White-Joyal and his wife Jan, Ashbel Joyal and his wife Sue, Jacquelin ORourke and her husband Devon, Marc Joyal-Myers, Jessica Philbrick and her fianc Mike Weyhart, Abraham Joyal, Alice Joyal and Madeline Joyal-Myers. Much to his delight he is survived by three great grandchildren; Allana Goff, Fiona Joyal and William Philbrick. Dick was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth, two brothers; George and Fred, his sister Elisabeth, his daughter Lesley and his grandson A memorial visitation will be held at noon on Saturday, November 2, 2013 followed by a memorial service at 1PM at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans. For online condolences please visit www. nickersonfunerals.com.