Search by Name

Search by Name

RICHARD WORDEN PEW

RICHARD WORDEN PEW obituary, Belmont, MA

FUNERAL HOME

Short, Williamson, & Diamond Funeral Home

52 Trapelo Road

Belmont, Massachusetts

UPCOMING SERVICE

Memorial Service

Oct. 17, 2025

11:00 a.m.

Plymouth Congregational Church

Send Flowers

RICHARD PEW Obituary

PEW, Richard Worden Age 92, of Elyria, Ohio, formerly of Belmont, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully, on October 2, 2025. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Elizabeth "Sue" Westin Pew; daughter, Elizabeth "Betsy" and her husband, Richard Karban; sons, Douglas (Deirdre) Pew and Gordon (Kerry) Pew; eight grandchildren: Richard, Elyssa, Nora, Ainsley, Charlotte, Heather (Sean), Tyler (Monica) and Ashley; and two great-grandchildren, Azaela and Harrison; four nieces, Stacy Pew Morris, Joyce Baldwin, Jeanne Papini; and nephew, Jeffrey Westin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Brown and Elizabeth Green Pew; his brother, John Marlin Pew; nephew, Grant Marlin Pew; and brother-in-law, Jack Westin. A Cornell-educated engineer and Olympic épée fencer, Richard served in the U.S. Air Force, before earning his Masters in Experimental Psychology from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Michigan. His distinguished career in Human Factors Engineering and Psychology spanned six decades, including a professorship at the University of Michigan and work as a Principal Scientist at Bolt Beranek and Newman (BBN Technologies). He was a past president of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, the inaugural chair of the National Research Council Committee on Human Factors, and longtime director of the University of Michigan Summer Conference on Human Factors Engineering. Richard was an avid cyclist, bridge player, and devoted fan of Michigan football, and additionally, continued to enjoy watching the Olympics. He most cherished his church and summers on Martha's Vineyard with family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, October 17, at 11:00 a.m., at Plymouth Congregational Church in Belmont, Massachusetts, followed by Burial at Highland Meadow Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Short, Williamson & Diamond Funeral Home, BELMONT, swdfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mount Auburn Hospital for funds to care for the Patricia and Herbert Pratt Family Healing Garden in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Short, Williamson & Diamond Belmont 617.484.6900

View the online memorial for Richard Worden PEW

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

Published by Boston Globe from Oct. 9 to Oct. 12, 2025.

Memorial Events
for RICHARD PEW

Oct

17

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

Plymouth Congregational Church

Belmont, MA

Funeral services provided by:

Short, Williamson, & Diamond Funeral Home

52 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA 02478

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD PEW

Not sure what to say?





2 Entries

Jimmy Considine, Charlestown

Earlier today

Sincere thanks for the devoted military service you gave to the people of this nation. May you rest in peace.

Pam and George Christodoulo

Yesterday

Kind, witty, gentle, brilliant, and talented ... there are not enough adjectives to describe Dick. He was an incredible man who will forever be in our hearts and minds. Our deepest sympathies to Sue and Dick´s entire family.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results

Make a Donation
in RICHARD PEW's name

How to support RICHARD's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor RICHARD PEW's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more