Richard J. Driscoll, Jr. passed away peacefully with his loving daughters by his side on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Bowie, Maryland at the age of 78. Born on September 18, 1946, Richard grew up in the Fox Point section of Providence, RI. He lived in Buffalo, NY, and later in Bowie. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Richard began his academic career at Cleary School, graduated from Classical High School, and completed his BS in Engineering at Brown University. He received his MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from SUNY Buffalo. He served four years in the Air Force achieving the rank of Captain.
Richard was a highly regarded Aerospace Engineer. In 1973, he joined Bell Aerospace in Buffalo, NY. He was the Director of Engineering at AMPAC from 1991-2007. In 2008, he joined NASA as a Propulsion Engineer with the Goddard Space Flight Center. He worked on the Europa Clipper which is now on a five-year journey to Europa; one of Jupiter’s moons.
Richard was an avid reader with interests encompassing history, folk music, Irish music, folklore, guitar, and woodworking.
He is survived by daughters Anastasia Driscoll and wife Julie Seed, Priscilla Driscoll Shempp and husband Ian Shempp, Patricia Driscoll and husband Ben Greenwald; grandchild William Shempp; Brothers Paul Driscoll and wife Theresa, Robert Driscoll, and Stephen Driscoll and wife Karen; former spouse Priscilla Jan Driscoll.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Mary Driscoll, sister Kathryn Driscoll, and beloved lab, Molly.
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Mass will be held at St. Joseph's Church, 92 Hope Street, Providence on August ,16, 2025 at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. A reception will be held following the burial at the Waterman Grill in Providence. You can email his family at RJDriscoll1946@gmail.com for forthcoming details.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics or the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
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