Richard P. "Dick" Edwards

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University of Arizona University of California Los Angeles

Richard Edwards Obituary

Richard P. "Dick" Edwards Richard P. "Dick" Edwards was born October 17, 1933, in Madison, WI. He earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona, and served as an Air Force pilot. He worked in South ern California on Atlas, Saturn, and Space Shuttle launch vehicles. Boeing transferred him to Houston in 2002, where he worked on the Space Shuttle program until his last day. Among his accomplishments was co-authorship of a report to the U.S. President regarding changes after the Challenger accident. He earned a MS in Systems Engineering from UCLA and studied toward a Doctorate of Business Administration. His volunteer service included establishing judging policy for the California State Science Fair and C o-Founding Space Settlement Design Competitions, which involve over 1000 high school students annually world-wide. Dick challenged himself with activities that changed during his life, including track, basketball, marathons, earning Contract Bridge Life Master status, hiking steep mountain trails, and sailboat racing. He is survived by brother, James "Jim" Edwards of San Diego; son, Brad Edwards of Albuquerque; and loving wife of 23 years, Anita Gale. He passed away suddenly at the tiller of J24 sailboat "T rick Bag", near the front of the fleet in a Wednesday Night Sailboat Race. A gathering of friends will occur at his home in Nassau Bay, Texas, 1:00 p.m. Sunday 14 June. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the International Space Settlement Design Competition, c/o AIAA Orange County Section.

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Published by Press-Telegram on Jun. 11, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Edwards

10 Entries

Angel Ramos

March 21, 2010

Dick was a wonderful person and I always remembered him like himself was, gentleman, quiet and a very smart with sofisticated humor sense. Certainly Dick is in the space where he always belonged. He is a star now, his wife have a light forever watching and caring her Anita.

A Friend

July 26, 2009

Dear Anita,
I was very sorry to hear that Dick had passed on. I remember the quiet smile in his eyes when he watched you work. He was the strong, silent, type - kind of like your own personal John Wayne. In the short time I worked with you (a few early Spaceset seasons), I felt that you were Dick's best friend and the force that kept him on his toes - a whirlwind that challenged his mind and gave him a new reason to get up every morning. He loved working with you and playing with you. When you showed us the photos of your then new house in Texas, Dick beamed. He so looked forward to the times the two of you would spend together.
And he was good for you, too. A stable influence that kept you grounded. Together, you were an unstoppable team.
I just know that Dick is already at work preparing a new adventure for the next time you meet.
May God bless and keep you.

Lynne Graham

June 23, 2009

Dear Anita,
I am so grateful for the many good years that you and Richie had together. You were both so lucky to find someone who could share all of your individual interests. I had recently been going through family photos and recalled what a wonderful big brother he had been to me. Thank God he did not suffer and went doing what he loved. I was planning a flight to Houston thinking he would be proud of me that I now have my pilots license. When I'm in the sky he will be closer to me. I lost my husband three years ago so understand the journey that you are starting. Thank goodness you have your work. My love and prayers are with you and I know that the memories that each of us has will sustain us in the years ahead. Thank you for giving him love and happiness.

Lynne Edwards Graham

June 14, 2009

Dick will be missed by all that knew him. He was always the competitor, always looking for that little bit of boat speed that would put him out in front, but always willing to share his knowledge with anyone that would ask.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Anita and the circle of close family and friends.

Dick will live on in the hearts and minds of all of those that knew him.

Dave & Barbara Rustigian

Parikshat Sharma

June 13, 2009

Dick was a great mentor. Even in a short conversation he amazed me with his immense knowledge. His desire to learn even more inspired me. I cherish the wonderful moments I spent with him at the competitions. I feel privileged to have known him.
I pray for Anita and the family to get comfort in the memories.
Love Parikshat Sharma

Val Navarro

June 12, 2009

Dick and Anita were one of my "mentors" when it came to honing my sailing skills. Dick coached my One Design team and my team won 1 year and we placed in the Top 5 ever year we competed. His passion for sailing, his passion for teaching and his passion for competing will never be forgotten.

I recently lost my Dad so in a little way I know the pain and loss Anita and the family are experiencing. Anita needs to know I miss her and now I will always miss Dick.

Cherish the memories, allow yourself to grieve, know you have family and friends to support you.

Love always,

E.S and Andrea Jackson

June 12, 2009

Old friends and good memories.I am not good at things like this. When I first heard I was at ABYC. I could not think of what the right words should be...so I walked over to the beach at Long Beach and looked out over the water. It was near sundown and you could just see the reflection of mark 32 on the water. Dick and Anita and I and my wife Andrea rounded that mark many times in "23 Skidoo" years and years ago when I first started racing in Long Beach. Stood there until the sun was down......Two new kids own Skidoo now. It is on a gangway near my boat at LBYC. Dick would not have approved but I walked over this morning and put a rose on the foredeck.
Like I said, I am not good at this Dick, best I can do........... .. Saint Vitus, USA97408

Denny Noh

June 12, 2009

Our prayers and thoughts go out to Anita and the family. I met Dick for the first time at the town hall meetings in Huntington Beach when we were recruiting people to move to Houston. Please let us know if we can do anything

Stu O'Guinn

June 11, 2009

Thanks for the Little Ships memories, Dick. You will always be remembered warmly.

Andrew Jicha

June 11, 2009

My sincere condolences go out to Dick's family and close friends for the loss of Dick. I have had the opportunity to meet Dick during the space settlement design competitions the past several years and enjoyed the time we shared together. Anita I am so sorry for the loss of Dick. I pray that God will comfort you in this trying time and heal your heart from the loss you have experienced.

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