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Richard McBride Obituary
McBRIDE
RICHARD JOSEPH McBRIDE SR December 22, 1933-April 28, 2022
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Dick grew up in the New York suburb of Great Neck. His parents, Edna Peck McBride Sperber and Peter Francis McBride were introduced to each other by his future parents-in-law, Virginia and Frank Briand.
Dick is survived by his wife, Cécile McBride, their four children: Richard J. McBride, Jr. (Son), Michael Briand McBride (Dorte), Danielle McBride Montgomery (Darrell), Lisa McBride Azuma; 13 grandchildren: Natalie Campbell, Richard M. McBride, Georgeanna McBride, Isabelle McBride, Annika McBride, Lauren McBride, Madisen McBride, Caroline Grace Montgomery, William Montgomery, Thomas Moses Montgomery, Peter McBride Montgomery, Luc Azuma, Beau Azuma; and two great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Sheperd Campbell. Dick and Cécile's grandmothers, Margaret Peck and Constance Savana, prayed together that Dick and Cécile would marry. Dick and Cécile were married 63 years.
As a boy, Dick learned surveying from his father, a civil engineer. In his spare time he worked with a surveying crew and by the time he was ready for college he was promoted to survey party chief. Dick was a track star both in high school and college. He was the captain of his college track team and relay team. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Dick received his engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1956 and his MBA from American University in 1963. He proudly served as 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, designing and supervising the construction of ports and docks.
The same week Dick received his engineering degree, his career launched designing transport systems and air navigational aid systems throughout the U.S. He was quickly recruited by Page Communications Engineers, which brought him to Washington, DC. His work on vital communications systems, including the Distant Early Warning Line, sent him to many remote places in the world, including extended time in the Arctic, Pacific and Middle East. During the Vietnam War, Dick provided communications support to the U.S. military.
At the dawn of the satellite communications age, Dick was recruited to join the newly formed COMSAT (Communications Satellite Corporation). Dick spent the body of his career with COMSAT, contributing to the development of the communications systems we all rely on today. He oversaw the design, construction and maintenance of earth station facilities and managed projects around the globe, including the first commercial satellite earth stations to be built in the U.S. In the 1980's Dick directed engineering of earth stations for the NBC Satellite TV distribution system and installation of HI-NET satellite terminals in 1,000 locations. In the early 1990's he was responsible for facilities and power engineering on all COMSAT U.S. and multiple joint venture programs in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East and Europe. Dick received many accolades for his achievements. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Dick taught his children practical skills as well as recreational ones. He cheered them on at swim meets and instilled in them a love of travel. He was an expert craftsman. Rather than store-bought gifts, he would often create "labor of love" projects for Cécile, such as a new trellis, a pathway, or moldings, which would always be done to perfection. He was always a true partner to Cécile, both with their family and business. When Cécile started her real estate company, Dick acquired a real estate license too, so that he could help new agents pass the math tests and pinch hit when needed.
An avid tennis player, Dick served on the Board of Governors at Kenwood Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. For the past 21 years, Dick and Cécile enjoyed winters in Indian Wells, California, where he was a member of Shadow Mountain Club in Palm Desert. Dick sang with the Barbershop Chorus of DC. He was an active volunteer with numerous organizations, including the schools his children attended, Little Flower Church, Cub Scouts, La Quinta Arts Festival, and The Living Desert.
Throughout his life, Dick's beautiful clear blue eyes sparkled with joy and reflected his honesty, mirth and good nature. Dick will be remembered as a cheerful, humble, hardworking person of integrity and a true gentleman. He aimed to lift others up rather than speak of his own merits. He kept a happy attitude to the end. He loved his friends and was loved and respected by those who had the good fortune to have known him. He said, "I am the luckiest man in the world to have such a loving family." Dick passed away on April 28, 2022 at age 88, surrounded by loved ones.
Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., May 20, 2022 at Church of The Little Flower, 5607 Massachusetts Ave, Bethesda, MD 20816., followed by a Memorial Mass at 12 noon.
Gifts in Dick's honor can be made to: NPR or a charity of your choice.
RICHARD JOSEPH McBRIDE SR December 22, 1933-April 28, 2022
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Dick grew up in the New York suburb of Great Neck. His parents, Edna Peck McBride Sperber and Peter Francis McBride were introduced to each other by his future parents-in-law, Virginia and Frank Briand.
Dick is survived by his wife, Cécile McBride, their four children: Richard J. McBride, Jr. (Son), Michael Briand McBride (Dorte), Danielle McBride Montgomery (Darrell), Lisa McBride Azuma; 13 grandchildren: Natalie Campbell, Richard M. McBride, Georgeanna McBride, Isabelle McBride, Annika McBride, Lauren McBride, Madisen McBride, Caroline Grace Montgomery, William Montgomery, Thomas Moses Montgomery, Peter McBride Montgomery, Luc Azuma, Beau Azuma; and two great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Sheperd Campbell. Dick and Cécile's grandmothers, Margaret Peck and Constance Savana, prayed together that Dick and Cécile would marry. Dick and Cécile were married 63 years.
As a boy, Dick learned surveying from his father, a civil engineer. In his spare time he worked with a surveying crew and by the time he was ready for college he was promoted to survey party chief. Dick was a track star both in high school and college. He was the captain of his college track team and relay team. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Dick received his engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1956 and his MBA from American University in 1963. He proudly served as 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, designing and supervising the construction of ports and docks.
The same week Dick received his engineering degree, his career launched designing transport systems and air navigational aid systems throughout the U.S. He was quickly recruited by Page Communications Engineers, which brought him to Washington, DC. His work on vital communications systems, including the Distant Early Warning Line, sent him to many remote places in the world, including extended time in the Arctic, Pacific and Middle East. During the Vietnam War, Dick provided communications support to the U.S. military.
At the dawn of the satellite communications age, Dick was recruited to join the newly formed COMSAT (Communications Satellite Corporation). Dick spent the body of his career with COMSAT, contributing to the development of the communications systems we all rely on today. He oversaw the design, construction and maintenance of earth station facilities and managed projects around the globe, including the first commercial satellite earth stations to be built in the U.S. In the 1980's Dick directed engineering of earth stations for the NBC Satellite TV distribution system and installation of HI-NET satellite terminals in 1,000 locations. In the early 1990's he was responsible for facilities and power engineering on all COMSAT U.S. and multiple joint venture programs in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East and Europe. Dick received many accolades for his achievements. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Dick taught his children practical skills as well as recreational ones. He cheered them on at swim meets and instilled in them a love of travel. He was an expert craftsman. Rather than store-bought gifts, he would often create "labor of love" projects for Cécile, such as a new trellis, a pathway, or moldings, which would always be done to perfection. He was always a true partner to Cécile, both with their family and business. When Cécile started her real estate company, Dick acquired a real estate license too, so that he could help new agents pass the math tests and pinch hit when needed.
An avid tennis player, Dick served on the Board of Governors at Kenwood Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. For the past 21 years, Dick and Cécile enjoyed winters in Indian Wells, California, where he was a member of Shadow Mountain Club in Palm Desert. Dick sang with the Barbershop Chorus of DC. He was an active volunteer with numerous organizations, including the schools his children attended, Little Flower Church, Cub Scouts, La Quinta Arts Festival, and The Living Desert.
Throughout his life, Dick's beautiful clear blue eyes sparkled with joy and reflected his honesty, mirth and good nature. Dick will be remembered as a cheerful, humble, hardworking person of integrity and a true gentleman. He aimed to lift others up rather than speak of his own merits. He kept a happy attitude to the end. He loved his friends and was loved and respected by those who had the good fortune to have known him. He said, "I am the luckiest man in the world to have such a loving family." Dick passed away on April 28, 2022 at age 88, surrounded by loved ones.
Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., May 20, 2022 at Church of The Little Flower, 5607 Massachusetts Ave, Bethesda, MD 20816., followed by a Memorial Mass at 12 noon.
Gifts in Dick's honor can be made to: NPR or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Washington Post on May 15, 2022.
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