Richard M "Dick" Walsh

Richard M. "Dick " Walsh died Tuesday, three months short of turning 92. His time here can be summed up as 'A Life Well Lived.' He leaves behind his wife, Jean McNichols Walsh, who won his heart in 1949 and with whom he shared nearly 70 years of marriage and, reluctantly, his Amex Gold Card. He was an only child, born in Brooklyn, NY, to the late Joseph and Louise Kaufmann Walsh, and moved to the Green Ridge section of Scranton, where he spent seven of his nine decades.

Dick was always driven to succeed, starting his career at Bell Telephone and then moving to IBM before founding his own company, Walsh Associates, in 1965. Becoming an entrepreneur was a bold move, considering he had seven children under the age of 10 at home. With Jean's support, he successfully grew the company to be able to support another five kids, while keeping his accounts current at the Kiddie Shoppe, Burkes Pharmacy, and the Scranton Country Club.

In 1987, Dick was tapped by Governor Robert P. Casey to oversee the Commonwealth's computer and telecommunications systems. He led the development of two state-of-the-art medical and educational computer platforms which were the precursor to today's telemedicine and internet networks.

One of his biggest passions was Penn State University. There was rarely a conversation that went by without a mention of PSU or his fraternity, Phi Kappa Theta. As a 1955 graduate, he had a lifelong love of Nittany Lions football and attended several National Championship games. Being named to serve on the Penn State Board of Trustees from 1993 to 1995 and later, to the Scranton Campus Advisory Board, was a cherished honor. In 2002, he and Jean established an endowed lectureship at PSU Scranton.

Another of Dick's passions was flying, where he used his meticulous attention to detail to enable his and Jean's love of travel. He flew many trips to Amelia Island and Hutchinson Beach, FL, covered more than 25 states, and completed a cross country trip and back. He earned his pilot's license when he was only 39 and owned many planes over the years; he had even more co-pilots, including his kids, grand kids, and even the former Bishop of Scranton. He amazed us all by continuing to fly well into his 80s. In 2021, the FAA recognized his 50 years of exemplary flight experience with the Right Brothers Master Pilot Award.

Dick and Jean had a wide circle of great friends who spanned the East Coast. He knew how to have fun and throw a great party, including many legendary New Year's Eve bashes. He was even rumored to have been thrown out of a NYC club after dancing the Twist.

Even with 12 kids and a growing business, Dick always found time to give back and served on too many boards to name, but a few that he was most proud of included St. Joseph's Center, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and Maywood University. One of his proudest achievements was helping to bring Steam town to Scranton.

Yet these accomplishments pale in comparison to his devotion to his family. All of the work he did was for his wife and kids…and now his grand kids and great grand kids. Generous to a fault is how Jean would describe him. He would always offer a helping hand (and more than a few dollars) when someone was down on their luck or open their home when someone needed a place to live.

He leaves behind an incredible legacy. One of welcoming all – and still liking you even if you didn't do it his way. Of showing up – from dance recitals to marathons to countless graduations. And most importantly, exemplifying his core belief in the power of PMA – positive mental attitude – which served him up to his last days, when even then he exclaimed "I'm a 10!"

This legacy of kindness, forgiveness, and putting family first will live on in his 12 kids, their spouses and partners: Kathleen McDonnell (John) Scranton; Michael, Barry, Scott and Timothy, Scranton; Michelle McLaughlin (Thomas), Media, PA; Brian (Karen), Mechanicsburg, PA; David (Liz), Havertown, PA; Christopher (Mary), Pinehurst, NC; Lisa Moran (Tim), Scranton; Sheila Blakeman (Craig Balzarini), Montrose, CO; and William (Audra), Havertown, PA; 40 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Griffin Walsh; daughter-in-law Nancy Walsh; son-in-law Mark Blakeman; and brother- and sister-in-law William and Mary Lydon.

Celebrate his life with us at a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 18 at 3:00 p.m. at Saint Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Avenue, Scranton. Interment at Dunmore Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday, July 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Katie's Place Clubhouse in Scranton.

Arrangements by the Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge Street, Dunmore.