Richard Stephen Gale

Richard Stephen Gale of Fountain Hills, Arizona passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026 at the age of 87 surrounded by love, leaving a legacy defined by creativity, courage, and devotion.

Richard was born in Winthrop, MA and spent his younger years living in Revere, MA. His family moved to Newton, MA where he graduated from Newton High and a year later Huntington Preparatory Academy in Boston, MA. He then went on to earn his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University. He met his wife, Deanna, on a blind date and they dated all through college, marrying in August of 1962 upon his return from his time in the Naval Reserve.

Richard's first job was with Dupont in Buffalo, NY where their son, Howard, was born. They soon moved back to New England where he joined the Davidson Rubber Corporation in Dover, NH. It was there that their daughter, Michelle, was born. Opportunities continued to arise as Richard became plant manager in Americus, GA. He later joined Sheller Globe in Iowa City, IA and finished his career with Libbey Owens Ford in Toledo, OH as Director of Engineering. He did consulting for a few more years before officially retiring.

However, retirement was not for him! Richard embraced life with confidence and curiosity, never afraid to try something new and never doubting his ability to succeed once he set his course. He began creating his own botanical garden learning about cacti, agave, aloe, and nonnative plants that would thrive in Arizona. He created meandering paths, planted many shade trees and was excited to share his passion with anyone who came by. He nurtured his plants with patience and care and spent many joyous hours seeing the garden grow and thrive.

He also learned all about Native American pottery being created by the Hopi, Navajo and other tribes. He and his wife began selling native pottery and making new friends. Potters often came to their home, or they went to see them on tribal lands. Many close friendships remain today.

Later, Richard decided to learn all about what goes into printing a book for his artist friend, Tomas Lasansky. He and his wife learned about the complete printing and publishing process. The product was a magnificent book that he truly took pride in helping to create.

Giving back to others defined much of Richard's life. He and Deanna joined the Adopt an Elder program. Twice a year, they filled 30 banana boxes with food, drove a rental truck to the Navajo elders in Sanders, AZ, and placed the boxes in the Rainbow Circle to be shared with the elders. They also volunteered at the Indian Market and the International Folk Art Festival in Santa Fe, NM.

A passionate traveler, Richard, delighted in exploring the world, embracing new cultures and learning from the people and places encountered along the way. These experiences deepened his appreciation for humanity and the shared bonds that connect us all.

Richard loved his wife, Deanna of 63 years with a devotion that never wavered. They were true partners in life and best friends, sharing everything side by side until the very day he passed away. He was immensely proud of his children and their spouses as well as his four grandchildren. He found his greatest happiness being with them – laughing, talking and making memories together. Family was the center of Richard's world and always the most important thing in his life.

He will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Deanna, his two brothers, Dr. Marc Gale of Gainesville, Florida, Peter Gale (wife Orn) of Bangkok, Thailand; his devoted son Howard Gale (Sarita), his loving daughter, Michelle Star (Rob); his two beautiful granddaughters Jolene and Mia and three handsome grandsons, Austin, Clinton and Caden.

He will always be remembered for his warmth, fantastic sense of humor, his strength, adventurous spirit and the example he set by living fully and purposefully. His influence lives on in the many lives he enriched and the love he leaves behind.