Richard Erd
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Obituary
Richard Clarkson Erd
passed away May 20, 2008 in Springdale, Arkansas. He was born a leap year’s baby in Lexington Kentucky on February 29, 1924. During the Depression he grew up as a young boy in the Midwest. His family settled in Dayton, Ohio where he attended High School. He served as a bombardier in the 72nd Squadron of the 13th United States Army Air Corps in WW2 and flew 50 missions in the SW Pacific to end his tour as First Lieutenant. Dick met his first wife, Patricia Scott, while on R and R in Sydney Australia in 1944. He enlisted for 25 more missions so he could return to Sydney and marry her in 1945. They returned briefly to live in Sydney after the War , then settled in the States.
He loved music and was ever grateful to the kind person at San Antonio,Texas Military Base who played Daybreak from the Mississippi River Suite rather than Revele to wake newly enlisted WW11 cadets. He sang in many choirs and musicals and played a mean trombone in the kitchen. He believed you could always buck up in life with humor and a song. He hoped the last sound he heard on earth would be a piece of beautiful music. A few of his heroes were Jimmy Durante, Oscar Hammerstein 11 and Perry Como.
He had a life-long love of mineralogy. He studied at Indiana University then began his career as a mineralogist with USGS in 1951 in Washing ton DC . He transferred in 1956 and worked over 40 years with USGS in Menlo Park, California. He was internationally known for his research in borate mineralogy. In 1979 Dick was given an honorary award from the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies for his service to the public and to amateur mineralogists. A scholarship was set up in his name for students. He described the first mercury-silicate ever known. He synthesized a compound in 1956 which was later discovered in 1977. This very rare occurring mineral was named erdite, in his honor. He was one of the founders of Bay Area Mineralogists in 1972. He loved to share his wonder of geology. “Just think,” he would say, “ when you crack open a rock, you are the first person to see all those thousands of years of history inside.”
He was buoyed by the elevated thought of poetry and delighted in writing limericks and metric poems. As easily amazed by a spider’s weaving of its web as with the marvels of astronomy, he blessed his four daughters with the gift of his passionate curiosity. Whether it was looking at snowflakes with a hand lens, combing libraries for armloads of books, flying kites, working crossword puzzles, recounting family stories, or exploring ancestral roots in Germany, he was hooked on the wonder of being alive. He often said if we found him prematurely deceased we should suspect murder as he loved life too much, with all its mysteries and humor and beauty.
He survived three well loved wives: Patricia (Scott) Erd of Sydney Australia, Helen (Jennings )Erd of Lincoln Nebraska, and Barbara ( Brown) Erd of Palo Alto California. He is survived by his fourth wife, Dixie Lee (Rone) Erd of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
He leaves seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He said that the legacy he gifts to the world are his four daughters, Diana Sanchez of Hilo Hawaii, Wendy Erd of Homer Alaska, Corinne McCourt of Sunnyvale California and Barbara Skotvold of Magalia California.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale, Arkansas.
Arrangements by the Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Online guest book at www.luginbuel.com
passed away May 20, 2008 in Springdale, Arkansas. He was born a leap year’s baby in Lexington Kentucky on February 29, 1924. During the Depression he grew up as a young boy in the Midwest. His family settled in Dayton, Ohio where he attended High School. He served as a bombardier in the 72nd Squadron of the 13th United States Army Air Corps in WW2 and flew 50 missions in the SW Pacific to end his tour as First Lieutenant. Dick met his first wife, Patricia Scott, while on R and R in Sydney Australia in 1944. He enlisted for 25 more missions so he could return to Sydney and marry her in 1945. They returned briefly to live in Sydney after the War , then settled in the States.
He loved music and was ever grateful to the kind person at San Antonio,Texas Military Base who played Daybreak from the Mississippi River Suite rather than Revele to wake newly enlisted WW11 cadets. He sang in many choirs and musicals and played a mean trombone in the kitchen. He believed you could always buck up in life with humor and a song. He hoped the last sound he heard on earth would be a piece of beautiful music. A few of his heroes were Jimmy Durante, Oscar Hammerstein 11 and Perry Como.
He had a life-long love of mineralogy. He studied at Indiana University then began his career as a mineralogist with USGS in 1951 in Washing ton DC . He transferred in 1956 and worked over 40 years with USGS in Menlo Park, California. He was internationally known for his research in borate mineralogy. In 1979 Dick was given an honorary award from the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies for his service to the public and to amateur mineralogists. A scholarship was set up in his name for students. He described the first mercury-silicate ever known. He synthesized a compound in 1956 which was later discovered in 1977. This very rare occurring mineral was named erdite, in his honor. He was one of the founders of Bay Area Mineralogists in 1972. He loved to share his wonder of geology. “Just think,” he would say, “ when you crack open a rock, you are the first person to see all those thousands of years of history inside.”
He was buoyed by the elevated thought of poetry and delighted in writing limericks and metric poems. As easily amazed by a spider’s weaving of its web as with the marvels of astronomy, he blessed his four daughters with the gift of his passionate curiosity. Whether it was looking at snowflakes with a hand lens, combing libraries for armloads of books, flying kites, working crossword puzzles, recounting family stories, or exploring ancestral roots in Germany, he was hooked on the wonder of being alive. He often said if we found him prematurely deceased we should suspect murder as he loved life too much, with all its mysteries and humor and beauty.
He survived three well loved wives: Patricia (Scott) Erd of Sydney Australia, Helen (Jennings )Erd of Lincoln Nebraska, and Barbara ( Brown) Erd of Palo Alto California. He is survived by his fourth wife, Dixie Lee (Rone) Erd of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
He leaves seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He said that the legacy he gifts to the world are his four daughters, Diana Sanchez of Hilo Hawaii, Wendy Erd of Homer Alaska, Corinne McCourt of Sunnyvale California and Barbara Skotvold of Magalia California.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale, Arkansas.
Arrangements by the Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Online guest book at www.luginbuel.com
Funeral Service
Service information unavailable.
Visitation
Visitation information unavailable.
Final Resting Place
Prairie Grove Cemetery
North, Row 76, Space 10
General
Feb 29, 1924
May 20, 2008
84
Tributes
I have to say that your Father was an absolute delight to talk and I'm so proud to have had the opportunity to get to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen Jean McCawley - Postmaster Of Canehill
Dick was my father's first cousin since their mom's were sisters. There was definitely a likeness in personality and spirit between the two. My father was Clark (Mac) McClure and we all lived in Indiana. Dick was fun to be around and was a very enthusiastic person to visit with lots of family stories.
Cindy McClure - Cousin
I grew up next door to Dick and the Erds and have many fond memories through the years hearing about what your father was doing. He was full of love for life!
Nancy Oldham Lecompte - Childhood Neighbor And Friend
We enjoyed Dick so much. He was always so full of life and had a smile on his face. We'll miss not seeing him anymore.
Bill And Karen McClure - Bill's Dad Was Dick's First Cousin
Dick was a good friend and fellow-church member. He was fun to be with and I enjoyed his good sense of humor and his poems. Best wishes to all the family. Elisabeth
Elisabeth Seaman - Friend In Palo Alto
I will always remember Dick for his sense of humor. While I mourn his passing, all my memories of Richard Erd were filled with song and laughter. Thanks, Dick.
Russell Doolittle - Friend From Church
It was both an honor and privilege to know Dick. His outlook on life was unique and uplifting considering the hand he was dealt. I will always remember his wonderful stories and humor. His life had been an adventure and he relished every minute. I will miss him very much.
T.a. Sampson - Friend
My name is Carole Tomasello and I worked with Dick at the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, CA. My Prayers and Thoughts are with Dick's family, especially his four daughters, who he spoke to me about all of the time and his wife, Dixie Lee, who I met once when Dick and Dixie were visiting. I will always remember Dick because of his extremely friendly nature and his kind and gentle manner. He was one of the sweetest people I have ever known. Dick is lighting up Heaven now and will see us all again when we join him. Love Ya Dick!!!!!
Carole Tomasello - Worked With Dick At The U.s. Geol.survey
I knew of Dick's diagnosis and think of him often. I just learned of his passing. My prayers go out to Dixie and their family. I met Dick and Dixie through their love of Italian Greyhounds. I adopted one of their dogs. Her name is Emily. Thank you Dick and Dixie for your trust and friendship. I will remember Dick as such a kind and gentle man. The last time he saw Emily, she remembered him and he sang to her.
Linda Goettsch - Friend Of Dick And Dixie
Funeral Service
Service information unavailable.
Visitation
Visitation information unavailable.
Final Resting Place
Prairie Grove Cemetery
North, Row 76, Space 10
General
Feb 29, 1924
May 20, 2008
84