Richard Pease, “Dick” as he was known to friends and family, age 75, left his earthly body on January 10th, 2021. He is survived by his sister, Shelvey Johnson and her husband Bruce Johnson of Orlando, his daughter Kimberly Roberto and her husband Fred of Atlanta, and his son, Michael Pease and his wife Emily of Charlotte, and his six grandchildren: James, Halle, Ricky, Lauren, Allison, and Tyler.
Dick died in the hospital of pulmonary failure after 35 days in the hospital. His children stayed in Florida with him as advocates for his health and his care at the hospital. He turned the corner to health several times but endured setback after setback that ultimately resulted in his death.
Dick was a cradle Catholic and attended St. William Catholic Church in Naples, FL. He received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at the hospital. Services will be at St. William on Friday, January 21st at 10:30AM and interment immediately following at Naples Memorial Garden where is wife was laid to rest in 2019.
Dick was born in Meadville, PA where, as a grade schooler, he met his future wife Linda Silverthorn. They were happily married for over 50 years. He went to Grove City College and received his masters from Syracuse University, both resulting in electrical engineering degrees. He began working for General Electric right after graduation and loyally remained with them for 38 years until retirement. He became a titan of industry and retired as Vice President of General Electric Corporation, with the majority of that time under Jack Welch.
He remained close to many of his peers, co-workers, and those who worked with and under him all the way to present day. Many of them share great stories of working together. There is a fitting story of Dick and his team being in a particularly grueling meeting with Jack Welch. As the story goes (as reported by those in attendance), Jack proceeded to tear Dick limb from limb. When they left the meeting, there were mutterings and grumblings about how rough the meeting was to which Dick replied, “he didn’t even get to lay a glove on me.” This was Dick. He never became discouraged or derailed, ever. He prided himself on his hard work and determination and both were constant themes throughout his life.
Almost to the day of his retirement, his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimers and God gave Dick a brand new job- becoming a full time caretaker. Just like everything he did, he excelled at it. He tended to her every need: bathing, feeding, changing clothes, combing her hair, polishing her toenails, and talking to her even though for the last 8 of her 14 year battle, she couldn’t respond back to him. He used his engineering mind to redesign, improve and reengineer things like ramps, seats, chairs, food preparation, transport and anything that would make taking care of his wife easier. He never asked “why me?”, not ever. He just walked up to the task at hand and handled it. It was quite inspiring to witness.
Part of his success can be attributed to his use of the checklist. Yes, the handwritten checklist. (This is a secret many should try to replicate in their own lives). He was an ultra-organized person and utilized checklists for everything. His children have been finding checklists, notes and perfectly ordered details tucked away throughout the house.
One of his most fitting nicknames was Macgyver because he could literally fix ANYTHING. He would make lists of the things he was able to successfully fix and it was quite impressive. His children, his friends, and his neighbors marveled at this unique ability. Sadly, he remarked in the hospital that his lung was the only thing he wasn’t able to fix. He had an extreme love of cars so this skill came in very handy.
Richard had the ability to make an impact on every single person he met. People that only met him briefly would comment on what a good man he was. He was an amazing husband, brother, father, employer, friend and neighbor. His friendships were long lasting and deep and he was able to maintain them for decades, even when faced with the monumental task of caring for his wife.
He will be missed dearly but his friends and family find comfort in the fact that his reward in heaven will be great. They are certain that he will hear the words that everyone longs to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
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