Richard W. Armstrong Jr.

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Richard "Dick" Williams Armstrong Jr., age 81, of New Orleans, La., and Midland, Texas, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2010, after a six year battle with prostate cancer.
Dick was born to Richard W. Armstrong and Harriet E. (Powell) Armstrong in Conneaut, Ohio, on Independence Day, July 4, 1928, which probably accounts for his lifelong love and appreciation of America and American history. He grew up in Conneaut next door to the farm that had been in his family since the 1880s and graduated from Rowe High School in 1946. Dick attended Ohio State University, graduating in 1953 with a BS in Education. After graduating, he served from 1953-55 as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps 9494 TSU, working in electronic warfare operations in Japan and Korea. Dick returned to the States and enrolled in Marietta College where he received his degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1957. It was here that he met the love of his life, Sue Jackson. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on June 8, 1957, and have enjoyed over 52 wonderful years together.
Dick worked for Continental Oil Company (Conoco) for 30 years in production engineering, operations, training and safety in such places as Denver City, Wichita Falls, Abilene and Midland, Texas, Artesia, N.M., and New Orleans, La. After retiring from Conoco, he became the first Executive Director for Clean Gulf Associates (a non-profit oil spill response organization for the offshore production industry in the Gulf of Mexico) for 17 years, retiring in 2004.
In 2005, he was awarded a Corporate Leadership Award by the Minerals Management Service for his work at CGA that improved oil spill response in the Gulf. In recognition for his years of dedicated service, Clean Gulf commissioned the M/V RW Armstrong, a 46' rapid response oil skimming vessel.
Over the years, Dick worked the election polls in Texas and Louisiana, plus participated in neighborhood associations. He was a 50-year member of the Evergreen #222 Masonic Lodge in Conneaut, Ohio. Dick was an avid jogger until health issues overtook him, participating in over 17 Crescent City Classic, Turkey Day, Corporate, and Bridge races in New Orleans. He also enjoyed traveling, having been to 49 of the 50 states, hunting in New Mexico, Louisiana and Colorado, and reading, especially early American history and biographies. One special trip Sue and Dick made was to renew their vows for their 50th wedding anniversary by the Rev. Paul Whipple, the minister who married them.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth Horwood; grandson, Trevor Pitts; and brother-in-law, Tom Reed.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sue Armstrong of New Orleans; two daughters, Jeanne Pitts and her husband, David, of Midland, Texas, and Marjory Armstrong of New Orleans; a son, Brian Armstrong and fiancée, Stefanie, of New Orleans; and three grandchildren, Jennifer, Nick and Sara Pitts. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Robert Jackson; sister-in-law, Bonna Reed; brother-in-law, Donald Horwood and his wife, Pat; nieces, Joanne Turner, Dianne Hicks and Dorothy Reed; and nephews, Aaron Horwood and Robert, Garvan, Ben and Casey Reed.
Arrangements are being handled by MARCY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, Ohio. Family viewing and services are at the Funeral Home on Saturday, March 27th, at 2 p.m. with Calling Hours from 12 p.m., Noon, until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at the family burial site in Kelloggsville Cemetery, Monroe Township, Ohio, where six generations of his family are interred.
Pall bearers are Brian Armstrong, Aaron Horwood, Donald Horwood, David Pitts, Nicholas Pitts and Edward Powell. Honorary pall bearers are David Dietz, John McQuilkin, Frankie Palmisano, Frank Paskewich, Bill Powell, Jerry Puffer, Alan Punkar, Harry Rich and Edward "Bud" Wheeler.
The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Dr. Christopher Theodossiou at Ochsner Cancer Institute for his expertise, kindness and compassion these last few years; Robbin and Chris Murray for all of their invaluable help and thoughtfulness; Tom Reardon for his special help during these last few years; and Dick's nurse, "JoJo" Johnson, and the staff of Serenity Hospice Service for their wonderful compassionate care during the final month of Dick's illness.
The family suggests memorials in his name be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, Calif. 90401, www.prostatecancerfoundation.org; Ochsner Cancer Institute, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, La. 70121, www.ochsner.org/donate_volunteer/current_priorities/; or Serenity Hospice Services LLC, 3712 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 204, New Orleans, La. 70114.
Condolences at www.marcyfuneralhome.com and starbeacon.com