Richard “Dick” Walter Wainwright
Richard “Dick” Walter Wainwright was born May 9, 1931, in Greensburg, Penn., to John and Maggie Wainwright, first-generation Americans, immigrants from England in the early 1920s. Dick grew up on Green Street in southwest Greensburg with his sister Kathy (Mathias) and graduated from Greensburg High School in 1949.
After graduating from drafting school, Dick followed his father and was employed at Jeannette Tire and Rubber Company in Jeannette, Penn. Dick worked as a machinist in the experimental machine shop, a unit that built and tested new equipment.
Dick was drafted into the US Army in 1954 at the end of the Korean War and served two years as a truck/tank mechanic, stationed in Ft.Hood in Aberdeen, Texas.
In 1957, Dick married Patricia (Pat) Hobaugh of Indiana, Penn., at the First Presbyterian Church in Greensburg, Penn. The couple resided in Greensburg. As did many of his generation, Dick worked two jobs so Pat could stay home with the children during their preschool years. One notable family vacation included a six-week trip around the country in a three-seated station wagon, including pancake breakfasts at rest stops on picnic tables using a cook stove.
In 1977, Dick accepted the position of Plant Engineer at Wilson Sporting Goods and was instrumental in opening the golf ball manufacturing plant in Humboldt, Tenn. In 1988, Dick took a position as plant engineer at Purodenso in Jackson, Tenn. In addition to his duties, Dick designed an air filter utilized in a race car. He retired in 1992, and he and Pat moved to Memphis to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Dick was active in the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from 1941 to 2012, serving for many years in various positions of responsibility, including troop leader and commissioner. Some of Dick’s Scouting achievements include Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow, and the Silver Beaver Award.
Throughout his retired years, Dick volunteered with the Red Cross, including deployments after hurricanes and storms to assess personal property damage, as well as engagements with local churches setting up disaster relief locations. Dick was active in the Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon, elder and Scout leader, and he volunteered his time to maintain the church buildings and property. For many years he operated the sound system during services at the First Presbyterian church in Jackson.
Dick is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pat; children, Sue McManus of Bartlett, Tenn., Lisa Wainwright of Arlington, Va., and Matthew and Marybeth (Landers) Wainwright of Arlington, Tenn.; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Dick was predeceased by his mother and father, John and Maggie Wainwright, and his sister, Kathleen Mathias.
Dick truly loved his life and lived it serving others. Dick possessed a kind spirit and was loved by all he met. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family received friends 5-7 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd. Celebration of Life services were at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at the funeral home with interment following in Memorial Gardens.
Online condolences may be made at www.memphisfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Boy Scouts of America in Dick’s name.
