Richard A. Wien

Richard Arthur Wien of Lincroft, NJ died on June 16, 2024 after a courageous six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born November 10, 1942 in Sussex, NJ to Arthur and Natalie (Beemer) Wien, Richard graduated from Sussex High School and then went on to study Electronics Circuitry at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He received his A.S. degree in 1962.
Richard was recruited by Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, NJ where he worked in the speakerphone circuitry division. One memorable project involved creating a system of multiple speakerphones which allowed President Lyndon Johnson to conduct business from anywhere in the Oval Office. His division would also install specialized speakerphones for the 1964 World's Fair.
After earning his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Monmouth College in 1967, he began working for CECOM, Department of the Army, Fort Monmouth, NJ as an Electrical Engineer. Richard was awarded his M.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering from NYU in 1970. He retired from Fort Monmouth in January 1999 as Chief, Information Security Division, Space & Terrestrial Communications Directorate.
In the 1970s, Richard began coaching and co-coaching youth soccer teams, many that included his son. He was the founding President of Lincroft Soccer Club. His teams wound up winning several titles, playing in tournaments across the East Coast, and had memorable games at Giants Stadium and Brendan Byrne Arena. His love of soccer inspired him to become a referee. He served as a soccer referee at high school and collegiate levels, and later began refereeing high school women's lacrosse games too. Over a 40-year span, he did over 3,000 matches of soccer and lacrosse. Some career recognitions included serving as President of the Shore Soccer Officials Association, the NJ Soccer Officials Association and the NJ Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association.
Richard married Margaret Swenson (his girlfriend since freshman year of high school) on June 21, 1964. Richard is survived by Margaret and by his daughter Diana Kaplan (husband Brian) of Waterford, VA and his son Gary Wien (wife Sherry) of Belmar, NJ, and two granddaughters, Hannah Kaplan and Erin Kaplan of Waterford, VA. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Sharon Wien of Matamoras, PA and Ruth Perry of Branchville, NJ, as well as numerous loved nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, William Wien, who passed away in 2022.
Richard always planned, planted and tended a garden at their home in Lincroft, NJ. Gardening was an interest he had since his childhood days working on farms (including his grandfather's farm) near his home in Colesville, NJ. He also enjoyed genealogy and tracing his family tree.
A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church, Red Bank, NJ on Saturday, July 13th at 11 a.m., with a repast following in the Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org) or the United Methodist Church, 247 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ.