Richard G. Pitchie, 88, of Poplar Bluff, passed on Aug. 5, 2018, and is hopefully already improving his handicap on a most excellent golf course.
Born in 1930 in Riverside, California, he was an original beach boy and surfing by the age of 6.
His service in the Air Force brought him to St. Louis, where he met his wife of almost 66 years.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Richard installed and maintained the pioneering "big iron" computers of Univac and Sperry Rand. Only 20 years later, Richard was surprised to find one of those computers in the Smithsonian Museum. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (So Passes the World's Glory).
Richard then worked and retired with M&A Electric Coop as communications supervisor keeping electric power flowing to southeast Missouri.
Richard is survived by his spouse June; son Brooks (and wife Alice); daughter Camille; and grandson Adam.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018 at the Poplar Bluff city cemetery. There will be no visitation due to the frailty of the widow.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.