Richard Henry Cobb died October 6, 2021 at home after a lengthy illness. Born in Albany, NY on July 8, 1933, the son of William and Jane Cobb, he grew up with his brother Douglas in West Sand Lake, NY.
As a graduate of University of Cincinnati with a BS degree in industrial management (1956) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Master of Science degree (1958), he was first employed by General Electric, and was associated with the operations research departments of The Standard Oil Company (SOHIO), and Lybrand, Ross Brothers and Montgomery consulting company. He developed special, valuable experience in the design, development, and implementation of large computer-based management systems, and soon found himself on the pioneering front of computer science at Mathematica in Princeton, NJ where he directed several major research projects, from the problem formulation, through development of the solution processes and computer programs, to the implementation of the new management systems for industrial clients. He designed and implemented the first practical computer code using the decomposition principle, which permitted the solution of the significant industrial planning problems.
He married Anne Mitchell in 1956. They moved to Princeton in 1965, where they raised their two sons Bill and Bruce. Dick and Anne moved to Annapolis, MD in 1985 where he worked for Lockheed Martin.
Dick served as both trustee and as an elder on the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis and, as such, was the proverbial right man at the right time! He contributed his engineering expertise and “can do” spirit to volunteer as project/construction manager in a church sweat equity program of twelve years’ duration in which he organized and inspired hundreds of FPC volunteers to work Saturdays in renovating, restoring, and maintaining buildings on the church campus and the manse. Teaming with church members Jim Nelson architect and Martha Clampitt interior designer, this work included and the creation of the Kinhart Center in which three historic houses were joined into a single building to better serve the church needs while preserving original historic frontage on Duke of Gloucester Street. The work also included the restoration of the church-owned historic Zimmerman Wilson house.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Anne Cobb; his brother Douglas A. Cobb (Barbara); his sons William R. Cobb and Bruce B. Cobb (Donna); granddaughter Hilde Cobb McKernan (Brian); grandsons Sam T. Cobb, William H. Cobb (Alexandra), Jacob B. Cobb, and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held for a small gathering on October 20 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis. Masks required. Due to Covid precautions there will be no reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 171 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis MD 21401.
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