Richard Louis "Dick" Gillman, 85, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2018. Born in Indianapolis, IN, son of the late Wade and Helen (Findley) Gillman. He attended PS #54 and Arsenal Tech HS, graduating in 1951. Dick earned a Bachelors’ Degree in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University (1955) and started his professional career with Naval Avionics (NAFI) Indianapolis working in applied research, Bureau of Naval Weapons and Aeronautics. Dick served in the US Air Force receiving an Honorable discharge in 1957 and resumed employment at NAFI thru Dec. 1960. Dick’s career took him into Private Industry at PR Mallory, Indianapolis, as a Design Engineer. Then, as Director of Engineering and Design for Arvin Industries, Columbus, IN. Dick was employed with Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Co., Fort Wayne, as Engineering Supervisor for Communication and Navigation Systems; including LORAN and SATELLITE equipment. As Engineering Mgr.-Communications he directed and supervised development and production support of voice/data communication, Navigation Systems/Subsystems, and restructured engineering planning for communications software and hardware, helping to expand business into advanced markets for the Electronic Warfare Division. He was involved in Tactical Information Systems, Satellite Communications, Digital/Electronic R&D, Development and Design. Retiring from Magnavox as Director of Engineering, Dick rejoined civil service with Defense Contract Management Agency until April 2014. He had a combined government service of 20+ years as a civil servant and a cumulative of 50+ years in the defense industry. He was presented the Commander's Coin in appreciation and gratitude for dedicated efforts throughout his career. Dick was a member of The Institute of Navigation, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Assn., Assn. for Unmanned Vehicle Systems, and Assn. of Old Crows (all in Washington, DC), AIEEE, FW Engineers Club, John Chapman Kiwanis, and a Purdue Lifetime Member. Surviving are his wife Judy and 5 children, Mary (Richard) Gilyeat, Michael Gillman, Linda (Dale) Evans, Kyle (Robin) Kitchen, Kara (Steve) Litchfield; 14 Grandchildren, four great-grandsons, and many nieces and nephews. He loved being surrounded by his family, enjoyed playing bridge, the arts, and had a passion for old and new airplanes. Dick was preceded in death by his grandson Connor Kitchen, siblings Paul (Norma) Gillman, Mary Ann (Don) Thomas, and John Gillman. Memorial Service is 11:30 am, Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Taylor Chapel UMC with calling 9:30am until the service, Pastor Steven Connor officiating. Memorial requests to Taylor Chapel UMC Memorial Fund or Alzheimer’s Assn. of Indiana. Mungovan Simple is handling arrangements.
