Richard K. Walbridge Sr.

Rich was born on March 23, 1945, son of the late Herbert E. and N. Kathleen Walbridge and grew up in Quincy. He was employed for 32 years by The Gillette Company. He was both a licensed electrician and refrigeration technician and retired as Gillette’s HVAC Supervisor.

A U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam era, Rich was a signalman on the USS Compton, DD-705. He loved shipboard life and was proud to serve America. He was a 30-year member of the Scituate Knights of Columbus, a member of the Tin Can Sailors, and the USS Compton Association.

Rich was very grateful to be able to retire early. It allowed him to spend time with his late sister, Judy Stempleski, who passed away in 2001. It also allowed him the time to pursue his passion for traveling. He was a devoted member of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (The Airstream RV Owners Association), where he was twice president of the Cape Cod MA Unit and was a national and region caravan leader who planned and led caravans of Airstream owners across the US and Canada. He was also the editor of the monthly newsletter for more than 15 years. Rich’s other interests included amateur radio, (call sign KA1/IBM), firearms, archery, golf, and fly fishing.

Rich was extremely devoted to his family and was incredibly proud of his children. Rich is survived by the love of his life, Dottie (Zinke) Walbridge, to whom he was married for 44 years. He is survived by his two children and son-in-law, Lisa and her husband Kristopher Scuccimarra of Poughquag, NY and Rick, Jr. of Hanover, as well as his granddaughter Hadley Wren who held a special place in his heart. He is survived by his older brother, Joe and his wife, Gail of Braintree, an older sister, Kathy DeSchamp and her husband, Dave from Brownsville, VT, a younger brother, Roy of Celebration, FL, his baby sister, Dr. Marie Walbridge of Weymouth, and his brother-in-law Pat Stempleski of Norwell. He also leaves many very special and loving nieces and nephews along with their children.

Relative and Friends are invited to attend visiting hours at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Rd., Scituate, from 3-7pm on Sunday, July 17th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary’s of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent St., Scituate at 10am on Monday, July 18th. Burial will be at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Tuesday, July 19th at 11AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rich’s name to Coley’s Cause, P.O. Box 202, Raynham, MA 02767.