Michael Kent Rich

Michael, the son of Leo and Zelma Rich, passed away August 24th, 2025. He leaves behind his loving wife Penelope Ann Tidwell Rich, his brother Scott Rich (Susan); his sisters Suzanne Zam (Stephen), Jennifer Rich (Stephen Morse), Elizabeth Rich (Jerry Cutler), and Melanie Rich (Michael Bell), and his stepchildren Jody Hurst Oliver (Steve), and Mitchell Hurst (Kristen).

During the Korean war, Michael served as an electronic technician aboard the U.S.S. Kiowa and, following his enlistment, as a system technician for Goodyear Aircraft working on Matador, the U.S. Air Force’s initial version of a cruise missile

Michael attended the University of Florida with a degree in mathematics, graduating with high honors. He was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honorary fraternities.

Following graduation, Michael was employed by Pratt & Whitney as a Simulation Engineer on the RL-10 rocket engine. In 1967, he took a position as a Simulation Engineer with Computer Sciences Corp., a subcontractor at NASA’s computational laboratory at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. There he spent six memorable years working in the nation’s space program.

He left the aerospace industry in 1973 to found his own construction company and built homes in Palm Beach County until 1981. He married his wonderful wife and love of his life, Penelope, during this time.

Michael re-entered the aerospace industry in 1981 as a senior engineer with General Research Corp., a subcontractor to the USAF Armament Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. There he was engaged in the development of several advanced weapons systems until his retirement in 2004. Michael and his wife returned to Palm Beach County in 2014.

Michael’s non-engineering interests included history, etymology, flying, and brewing.

A visitation for Michael will be held Wednesday, September 3, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens, 3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 33461. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM. A committal service will occur at Lake Worth Memory Gardens.