Richard B. &Quot;Dick&Quot; Hinckley
November 1, 1920 — July 24, 2010
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Richard B. &Quot;Dick&Quot; Hinckley
Richard was born on November 1, 1920 in Boston, one of two children of the late Daniel W. Hinckley and Isma E. (Bolton) Hinckley.
Richard or "Dick" as he was well known, was raised in the Uphams Corner section of Dorchester.He graduated from Northeastern University, class of 1942 where he was a member of the ROTC program.Following graduation, he began 15 years of devoted service to his country in the United States Navy and Naval Reserves.He received a Bronze Star for his service during World War II as well as a purple heart which he declined to accept due to his conviction that "he was just doing his job."In 1956, he retired from the US Naval Reserves as a Lt. Commander.
For 42 years, Mr. Richard B. Hinckley worked for Arthur D. Little Inc. as a chemical engineer. He worked on numerous projects over the years, but was well known for his important contributions in lunar technology and cryogenic engineering. He designed and invented the Tritium Distillation Column, the Heat Flow Probe, the Lunar Gravimeter, and designed and supervised the placing of Laser Reflection, all of which are present on the moon's surface today. During his career at Arthur D. Little, he travelled extensively throughout the world and was a consultant for NASA and the US Air Force.
Mr. Hinckley enjoyed his 10 year involvement in the Project ReSeed program through which he taught Science to Stoneham middle school students.He was a member of the National Piping Committee, the Atomic Energy Commission, and the American Rocket Society.He was also a 35-year member of the City of Melrose Planning Board and a member and past master of Union Lodge AF&AM.
Mr. Hinckley treasured the time he spent at his summer cottage on Stoney Lake in Ontario, Canada.He loved the time spent to himself sailing on his sailboat.An avid reader and historian, he enjoyed reading most everything, but had an appreciation for U.S. naval history.
"Dick" was the beloved husband of the late Virginia E. "Bim" (Turner) Hinckley with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.Devoted father of Beverly A. Hinckley of Melrose and Alan W. Hinckley and his wife Linda of Waterdown, Ontario, Canada.Dear brother of the late Phyllis M. Hinckley.Cherished grandfather of Laura, Richard, and Adam Hinckley.Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Wednesday, July 28 at 10 AM.Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.Visiting hours on Tuesday from 4-6 PM.Gifts in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard B. &Quot;Dick&Quot; Hinckley, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Funeral Service
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Starts at 10:00 am
Robinson Funeral Home
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