Obituary of Dr. Richard C. North

Richard Charles North, a lifelong resident of Long Island, passed away peacefully on April 23rd surrounded by family. He is survived by Elizabeth, his beloved wife of 63 years, their children Elizabeth (Andy) Hrodey and John (Sonya) North along with 3 grandchildren; AJ, Allie and Angus who all affectionately referred to him as “Pop-Pop”. He was a beloved uncle to Charles (Sandra) North, Andrea (Richard) Haray and Amy North, and brother-in-law and dear friend to Ellen Taylor. He joins his late brothers Robert “Bob” North and Ralph “Bud” North. 

             Richard was born in Hicksville to Mabel and Charles North in 1932, graduating from Hicksville High School in 1950 before joining the naval reserve. He served in Adak, Alaska until 1952, graduating from the Navy’s Electronics Technician school, later returning to the Navy on staff as an engineer in 1961. He graduated from Pratt Institute Magna Cum Laude, and obtained his Masters degree from Stevens Institute of Technology, before receiving a Ford Foundation Fellowship, allowing him to earn his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland. His career began at Public Service Electric and Gas Company in New Jersey (where he met his wife), before settling at Syska & Hennessy. While building a storied career in mechanical engineering there, he also found success as a professor at Pratt Institute, serving as Dean of Engineering, and winning the distinguished teacher award in 1991. He was overjoyed when his son John followed in his footsteps by attending Pratt as well. He retired in 1999.

             The inactivity of retirement life was a new concept to this man of constant employment, which required some adjustment. He enjoyed doing projects around his Amityville home, where he resided in for 55 years. He would often enchant his family with epic stories of his years in engineering and the Navy, and enthusiastically shared his extensive knowledge of engineering and local history. He was very supportive of his daughter Elizabeth’s education career in Madison WI, and his son John’s film career in Los Angeles and New York. He was deeply proud of his grandchildren. He always looked forward to seeing them, playing games with them, and teaching them how to fish. His sharp, playful sense of humor, and endless stories stories about his friend Charlie Facillani brought them all such joy. He loved them dearly, and made sure that their time together was special and kind. He attended services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and enjoyed the patriarchal duty of saying grace with his family.

He left a lasting impact on all of those he met, and will be fondly remembered for years to come by his family and friends on Long Island and abroad.