Richard A. Handverger

Born on January 21, 1943, at Newton City Hospital, Richard was the son of the late Edward and Marjorie (Henken) Handverger. He grew up in Medway alongside his younger brother, Ronald, in a lively multi-generational household that also included his father's sisters, Jennie and Fanny. Although his career would take him around the world, Medway always remained home. He graduated from Medway High School across the street from the house where he would later raise his own family. In his later years, he returned once more, choosing assisted living on the very same street where both his childhood home and family home stood.

Richard graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and continued his studies as a Ph.D. candidate in Physics at the University of Arizona. Rather than pursuing work connected with defense research, he chose the emerging field of computer programming. During the formative years of the industry, he mastered many of the earliest programming languages and built a successful career supporting major newspaper computer systems. His work took him throughout Europe, often once or twice each month, combining technical expertise with a lifelong love of travel. While at the University of Arizona during the 1960s, Richard became active in the student peace movement. His convictions even led him to challenge the state in court in Handverger v. Harvill, a case arising from efforts to hold a draft card burning event in the university's student union.

In 1972, Richard married Susan Ann (Fine) Handverger, beginning a marriage that lasted 51 years until Susan's passing in 2023. Together they built a home filled with books, music, travel, spirited conversation, and memorable meals. Susan was the social organizer, while Richard was happiest in the kitchen, preparing food for family gatherings, holidays, and friends. Together they explored the United States and Europe and enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Mexico, the Bahamas, and beyond.

Richard was very active in his early years. He earned his private pilot's license, enjoyed skiing and long-slow weekend road rides on his pedal bike, loved cooking, gardening, reading science fiction, solving crossword puzzles, and playing Scrabble. He proudly completed the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in ink and seemed to have an answer for almost any technical question. Friends and family quickly learned that if something was broken, Richard could usually explain why and often figure out how to fix it.

Richard designed the addition to the family's Medway home and enthusiastically tackled countless do-it-yourself projects. Like many devoted builders, he was often more interested in solving the engineering challenge than in the finishing touches, leaving behind a collection of projects that worked beautifully, even if cleanup sometimes remained for another day. In his youth, when the family decided to build a backyard swimming pool, everyone pitched in to dig it by hand. Richard, true to form, took responsibility for the electrical work rather than the shovels, a family story that perfectly captured both his practical talents and his preference for engineering over manual labor.

Music remained one of Richard's lifelong passions. He played the piano, usually from fake books, and twice built his own theater organ. He became an active member of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (EMCATOS), serving on its Board of Directors. Richard and Susan were longtime Boston Symphony Orchestra subscribers (until his snoring accompaniment embarrassed Susan too much) and spent an August weekend at Tanglewood nearly every year, returning to the same bed and breakfast that became part of their tradition.

Richard and Susan were also active members of Temple Beth Torah in Holliston. While Susan devoted countless hours to the congregation, Richard found his own niche through the Brotherhood and was a familiar face at community events, especially when it was his turn to call Bingo.

Richard was happiest in the kitchen, preparing food for family gatherings, holidays, and friends. Together, he and Susan later compiled a cookbook of treasured family recipes for their children, preserving not only favorite meals but the memories that came with them.

Those who knew Richard knew a man of remarkable intelligence, endless curiosity, undeniable charm, and opinions he was never shy about sharing. He leaves behind a lifetime of stories, ingenious solutions, spirited conversations, home-cooked meals, music, travel, and memories that continue to spark smiles, laughter, and reflection among those who knew him.

Richard is survived by his son, Joshua Handverger of Medway and Joshua's fiancée, Jenni Logan; his daughter, Leah Ciano and her husband, Chris, of Pembroke; his beloved grandsons, Sam and Leo; his brother, Ronald Handverger and his wife, Marci; and their children, Michael, Caroline, Matthew, and Andrew.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Susan Ann Handverger; his infant son, Jonathan; and his parents, Edward and Marjorie Handverger.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 10:45 AM. Shiva will immediately follow at the home of Ronald and Marci Handverger. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or The Trevor Project, Attn: Development, PO Box 69232, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, causes that were meaningful to Richard and Susan's family.