Richard P. Tschirch

TSCHIRCH – Richard “Dick,” of Westwood passed away on May 29, 2024 surrounded by loving family. His parents emigrated to the U.S. with very little, and Dick was grateful to them for their hard work and devotion to giving him and his brothers Bob and Fred the opportunity to lead easier lives. Thanks to encouragement from a special teacher who recognized his potential, Dick attended Phillips Exeter Academy on a nearly full scholarship. He continued his education at Yale University, earning both his undergraduate and master’s degrees there. He then joined Arthur D. Little, where he’d spend his career as a chemical engineer consulting across a multitude of companies and government agencies. Several of his inventions are patented, including heat-resistant coated fabric designed for space exploration, for which he was recognized by NASA. He also worked on enhancing the grip of an astronaut glove, much to his granddaughter’s delight when she saw a spacesuit on her first visit to the Air & Space Museum. 

It was through the Ski Club at ADL that he met Marylou (Callahan). Proof positive that love at first sight exists and endures, she would be his beloved wife for 55 years packed with adventure and laughter. Dick was also a devoted father who wore a “World’s Greatest Dad” hat from his kids so faithfully that they presented him with a new one when the original began to fray. He is survived by son Paul Tschirch and his wife Mary of Medfield, daughter Liz Rocha and her husband Jim of Walpole, and daughter Jen Phillips and her husband Chuck of Annapolis, along with many other loving family members and friends. His greatest source of joy later in life was being Megan, Caroline, Lauren, Haley, Tyler, Caitlin and Chloe’s beloved Grampy. On any given day he could be found cheering for his grandchildren on the sidelines, attending their school events, and passing on his love of gardening through a much anticipated annual harvest in the potato and pumpkin patch he planted for that express purpose. He formed the bedrock of our family with his calming presence, wit, authenticity and unwavering love, and we are so grateful for a lifetime of memories.

The family will hold a private interment and celebration of life at a later date. They ask that in lieu of flowers, gifts in Richard’s memory be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute to support cancer research and patient care or to The Nature Conservancy to protect the great outdoors and its inhabitants.