Folsom Funeral Service

Richard Sterling Coleman, a resident of New Pond Village in Walpole, and formerly a resident of Westwood, died Monday, April 21, 2014 at the Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital In Braintree.  He was 87.  Dick was born April 5, 1927 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the only son of  Harold Burr and Marion Helen (Pease) Coleman.  He graduated from Technical High School in Springfield with the Class of 1944 and graduated from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts where he attended as a V-12 Student, part of the Naval Officer Training program during World War Two.  This lead to his Honorable Discharge in 1946 as an Apprentice Seaman from the US Navy.  Dick was a hydroelectric engineer for the Chas T. Main Company of Boston for over 40 years until his retirement in 1992.  He travelled extensively throughout the world designing hydroelectric power plants.  Dick was a member of Celestial Lodge AF & AM, a member of the Kingswood Associates Investment Club, a member of the IEEE ( the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and a Past President of the New Pond Village Resident’s Association.  He enjoyed the travel facilitated by his work, and golfing.  Dick is survived by his wife of four months, Bette (Ely) Coleman; his two daughters, Nancy S. Pendleton, and her husband John P., of Franklin, and Judith C. Schnebly of Holliston; his son, Charles B. Coleman, and his wife Susan, of Oakdale, Connecticut; and his grandson, Lt JG Richard Kyle Coleman of Paducah, Kentucky.  He was the husband of the late Charlotte Ann (MacLucas) Coleman and the brother of the late Barbara Grumman Fitzgerald.  Dick is also survived by his stepchildren, Cynthia Fougere, and her husband Michael, Stephen Richard Crowell, and his wife Emilee, Stuart Ely Crowell, and his wife Marguerite, and Sarah Willis, and her husband John; as well as 11 stepgrandchildren and 7 great grand stepchildren.  Visiting hours will be held Friday, April 25, 2014 at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Saturday at 10 AM at the First Parish of Westwood United Church, 340 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood.  Private interment with military honors will be in Newton Cemetery, Newton, Massachusetts.  Donations in Dick’s memory made to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

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