In Memory of

Richard

Allen

Case

Obituary for Richard Allen Case

Richard A. Case, 77, loving husband of Linda Case and step-dad of Kim Popovich, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2019. Born to Jesse and Ruth Case on July 8, 1942, Richard grew up in Simsbury, CT and graduated from Simsbury High School with honors in 1960. He continued his education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, receiving his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree, cum laude, in 1964. He began his career at Pratt & Whitney as a Mechanical Engineer, with his final position being Senior Computer Integrated Manufacturing Engineer. He then worked as Senior Computer Systems Programmer Analyst until his retirement in 1999. Richard continued his career in Information Technologies for the next six years, first with Computer Sciences Corporation and later with Belcan Services Group, still working at Pratt & Whitney, until his second retirement in 2005. Throughout his career, Richard successfully completed numerous continuing education courses and earned many Microsoft certifications. He also was a licensed electrician.

Richard proudly served his country in the Connecticut Army National Guard beginning in 1965. He was an Expert marksman with a .45 pistol and a Sharpshooter marksman with an M-14 rifle. He attained the rank of Sergeant and received an honorable discharge from the 169th Infantry Division in 1971.

While growing up, Richard displayed remarkable reasoning and mechanical abilities. He enjoyed building model airplanes and go-carts, and helping his younger brothers with their creations. Richard became an accomplished downhill skier. He entered races in both Colorado and Europe, and was a member of the National Ski Patrol. He developed a love of travel during a cross-country automobile/camping trip with his family in 1960. He visited almost every state in the US; several European countries; and Prince Edward Island, Canada.

At the young age of 31, Richard suffered a devastating stroke. With tremendous courage, strength, and determination he made a remarkable recovery and was able to return to work full-time in less than a year. Throughout his life, Richard refused to allow lingering effects of the stroke to deny him enjoyment of life. He learned to cross-country ski and ride a bicycle, feats his neurologist said would be impossible. Richard and Linda spent many years enjoying both activities at favorite destinations throughout New England, New York, and PEI. Quieter interests included folk music, jig-saw and Sudoku puzzles, mystery novels, and UConn Women's basketball, displaying an uncanny understanding of the game.
During the past eleven years, Richard faced many health challenges with the same courage, strength, and determination he did so many years earlier when he suffered his stroke. He worked as hard as he could to recover, never felt sorry for himself, and adapted his life as was necessary.
Richard's family extends deep appreciation to the staff of Hughes Health and Rehabilitation in West Hartford for the excellent care they provided to him during the last eighteen months.

Richard loved his family more than anything. Besides Linda of Simsbury, his wife of 38 years, and his step-daughter Kim of Bloomfield, he leaves his brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Susan of Simsbury; brother Stanley of California; Linda's sister and her husband, Bernadette and Dennis Mayer of Simsbury; niece Jessica Case of Utah; niece Jennifer Case ElShaks, husband HiSham, and sons Benen and Malik of Mansfield, niece Katharine Mayer-Gough, husband Aaron, and son Harrison of New Zealand; cousin Marion Ivey, husband Dick, daughter Holly and her children Ivie and Coleson of Simsbury; and extended family members. Richard was pre-deceased by his parents, Jesse and Ruth; his youngest brother, Norman; and his very special uncle and aunt, Preston and Estelle Case.

A service to celebrate Richard's life will be held on Friday, November 29, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury. Calling hours begin at 11 AM, followed by a Service of Remembrance at noon and internment at Simsbury Cemetery. Please visit Richard's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.

For those wishing to honor Richard with a charitable contribution, donations may be sent to Farmington Valley Trails Council, Inc., PO Box 576, Tariffville, CT 06081.