Arthur "Art" Marion Richard

August 18, 1936 - February 7, 2022

RICHARD, Arthur Marion (Art) 85, died on Feb. 7, 2022. Art was born August 18, 1936 in Opelousas, LA. Art was a Systems Engineer. He retired as a Senior Vice President of E-Systems; and General Manager of the ECI Division, Memcore Division, and CMD Division. Art earned a BS Degree With Distinction at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, graduating first in the College of Engineering, summa cum laude. He served 5 years as a regular officer in the US Air Force where he earned a Commendation Medal for Merit, rare as a second lieutenant. He was among the first set of officers for launch control on the Minute Man Project in Montana. He was an engineering manager on the Saturn/Apollo moon landing program by age 30, and helped put the man on the moon with a slide rule. He held management and executive positions at several companies in the Defense Industry, including leading a 2 year defense communication project in southern Germany. After retirement, he provided consulting services and served as Chairman of the Board at Constellation Technology Corporation. He held a patent in network connectivity and a private pilot license. He loved sailing, hunting, fishing, wood turning, Damascus knife making, drones, all things technology related, as well as making and fixing things. In retirement, he and his wife traveled the world, often for months at a time. Art is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joan (Soucie): daughter Jean Marie DeSpiegler; son John Richard; grandsons Marc DeSpiegler and Austin DeSpiegler; and sister Margaret of River Ridge, LA. He was preceded in Death by his parents Arthur and Orpha Richard; and brother Francis Richard.