Richard N. Halpert

Richard N. Halpert, 67, of Pembroke, passed away at home on December 20, 2020. Cancer took him after a 4 year battle. He spent most of his youth in Lynnfield and was the son of the late Dr. Ira Lawrence and Blanche Vivienne Halpert. He graduated from Lynnfield High School in 1971. During high school, he worked at his father's Saugus Animal Hospital. Richard was a U.S. Army veteran and served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry. He was a member of American Legion Post 0143. He was a Lotus Notes Administrator who worked at numerous companies as an IT Consultant including BayBank, Lotus, Reebok, Sager Electronics, Gillette, and Biogen. In 1987, he met his wife Jo Anne Mehtala in Cambridge. They married the following year by the sea at Ocean Point, ME, and in subsequent years they celebrated their anniversary week at Boothbay Harbor. He enjoyed their many hiking, biking, kayaking, and travel adventures. His favorite trips were to the West Coast from San Diego to the San Juan Islands, WA, Provincetown, Moody Beach, ME, and the Florida Keys. Richard was a great dancer, and he loved to go with his wife nightclubbing around Boston and attending rock concerts (especially the Moody Blues) throughout New England. He loved music and often had jam sessions in the basement with his guitars and keyboard. His father took him to his first concert, the Beatles in 1966 at Suffolk Downs. He made it to Woodstock in time to hear Hendrix, his favorite guitarist. He was a talented photographer and drawing artist. Richard was a political activist who often corresponded with local and Washington, DC politicians, and frequently submitted commentaries to The Boston Globe. He was an avid Boston sports fan who especially loved the Celtics. In his teens he spent summers at the Celtics Camp Millbrook in Marshfield where he was thrilled to meet KC Jones and other Celtics players. In addition to his wife Jo Anne, he leaves behind his sister Candace Maes and her husband Stephen of Groveland, and their sons Benjamin and David; Brother-in-law Roland Mehtala and his wife Deborah of Onset; Brother-in-law Erik Mehtala and his wife Tatiana of Plymouth; and nephew Erikson Mehtala of Falmouth. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Andrea Mehtala of Boulder, CO. Much gratitude to his wonderful medical team at the MGH Cancer Center. Interment will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne late spring followed by a celebration of life party. For an online guest book, visit www.SullivanFuneralHomes.com.