Richard Franklin Wilson, 94

October 28, 2022

Richard Franklin Wilson, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War who spent his later career working at a California aerospace company on the Space Shuttle program, died Oct. 28 in Willow Valley, PA, after a brief illness. He was 94.

Known by his friends as Dick, he was born on July 6, 1928, in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, to Reginald Franklin Wilson and Gladys Marion Duane. Dick was the first baby born in the newly opened Point Pleasant Beach Hospital. He grew up in a house built by his maternal grandfather, Thomas Duane, next to the railroad tracks and liked to recall the rumbling and shaking of the house as steam engines thundered past. Dick was predeceased by his older brother Thomas and older sister Elizabeth.

Dick excelled in sports at Point Pleasant Beach High School and received a football scholarship to the University of Louisville. While in college, he joined the Navy ROTC and upon graduation was commissioned as an Ensign. While serving in the Korean War, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant JG. He first served as an Engineering Officer aboard the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) and later as Gunnery Officer aboard the minesweeper USS Firecrest (AMS 10). He was discharged in 1953.

He married Ruth Raush on October 28, 1950, and, following his Navy service, they settled in Fullerton, CA. After his children were born, Dick attended night classes and received an MBA from the University of Southern California in 1963. He worked for North American Aviation Rockwell for 28 years and later in his career was assigned to the Space Shuttle program. He retired in 1990 and the couple moved to in Ocean Pines, MD, before relocating to Willow Valley, PA.

Dick loved college football (especially USC), poems, trains, telling stories, keeping track of his family history, the ocean, and especially his wife. He was also quite fond of Muffy, an adorable Yorkshire terrier, who came on board in Ocean Pines and traveled with them to Willow Valley.

Dick is survived by his wife Ruth, currently residing in Lakeside at Willow Valley Communities; his son Thomas Wilson of San Diego, CA; his daughter Susan Roy of Anaheim, CA; two grandchildren, Laura Scott and Aaron Wilson, both of San Diego; and two great grandchildren, Elijah and Alana Scott. A third grandson, Mathew Wilson, passed away in 2003.

Dick’s ashes will be placed in the memorial garden at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Point Pleasant Beach where his mother played the organ, and he, his parents and siblings were all married. The service will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, Nov. 17.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Willow Valley Lakes Community Auditorium (4th Floor) on Saturday, November 19, at 10:30 am. The address is 300 Willow Valley Lakes Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584.

The family prefers that donations be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in lieu of flowers.