On Jan. 1, 2022, Richard “Dick” Schapker passed away at age 87 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. He was born in 1934 in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Bernard Schapker and Edna Burland.

For 63 years Richard was married to the love of his life, Simone Royer, from Quebec, Canada. He was a dedicated father to daughters Lise, Christine and Julie, plus grandchildren Elliot, Briana, Caitlin, Connor, Cole and Nicole.

Throughout his life he remained close to his siblings Howard, Elaine and Paul, as well as extended family from the East Coast, Midwest and Canada.

He received an aeronautical degree from Parks College of St. Louis, Missouri, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and science from MIT. He worked for General Electric designing rocket engines, and Avco Everett Research Lab as a scientist for the space program.

For several years he was a professor of computer science at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. He also lectured on science topics at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.

Following up his teaching career as a thermal analyst, he worked as a consultant for such companies as Raytheon, Modicon, and EG&G.

Richard was an inventor with nine patents. He developed products for educational and technical innovations. On the board of the Science and Engineering Council of Santa Barbara, he judged the annual competition of science projects for middle and high school students.

Richard mentored post graduate students at UCSB with science projects. He volunteered at the planetarium at the Natural Museum of History. He spoke French fluently and sang at the annual French Festival in Santa Barbara. He enjoyed playing tennis, bicycling and traveling.

Richard looked at life with a sense of humor, and his favorite saying was, “Life is a dynamic!” 

Richard will be greatly missed by family and friends.