Richard A. (Dick) Sparks Sr., of Nashua, N.H., age 90 formerly of Bedford, Mass., entered into rest December 18, 2021. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Dorothy (Dottie), their children, Barbara and husband Jeff Lewis of Mich., Richard A. Sparks, Jr. and wife, Jean of Va., Timothy Sparks of Calif., Kathleen and husband Richard Russes of Mass., James (Chris) Sparks and wife, Lynne of Mass. and Thomas of Mass. Also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Carolyn and husband Curt Perry, Ryan and Lexi Perry, Kate Lewis, Russell Sparks, Tyler and wife Nadia Russes, Amy Russes; William, Meaghan, Owen Sparks, as well as extended family, numerous friends and colleagues. 

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dick always had a love of the sea and boating. He joined the Navy at age 18 when the Korean conflict broke out and advanced to the rank of Seaman Petty Officer First Class. After being honorably discharged, Dick later used the G.I. Bill to attend Penn State, Ogontz Center for one year. He transferred to Temple University, graduating Cum Laude in 1958, with a B.A. in Physics and majors in Chemistry and Mathematics. While living in Philadelphia, he met Dottie at their church and married in 1956. In the summer of 1958 they, along with their new-born daughter, moved to Maryland where Dick was first employed by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory as associate physicist. 

In 1961 he joined Litton Systems Amecom Division, as section manager of a team developing solid state microwave devices for military applications, including communication antennas for the Apollo Command Module. During this period, he attended the University of Maryland evenings and obtained his Master’s Degree in 1962. All course work for his Ph.D. was completed, however, in 1966 he was offered and accepted a position with Microwave Associates in Massachusetts. The family now numbering seven moved to Bedford, Mass., where Dick was later employed by Raytheon Missile Systems Division, from 1967 to 1972 initially as principal engineer and later as manager of the Antenna and Microwave Department. In recognition of outstanding research and engineering contributions over many years of service, named Consulting Engineer in 1962, the highest professional engineering level at Raytheon. 

Dick had joined the Microwave Theory & Techniques Society (MTT), a group within the Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Dick served on several committees and became president in 1982, during which time he led a MTT Study Group through China. Dick was highly involved with organizing new chapters throughout the world, attending conferences in Japan, India, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Italy, as well as Central and South America. Dick was named Fellow of the IEEE in 1995. He also received many awards including Life Member of IEEE. Following his retirement from Raytheon he worked a few years for a small consulting firm and served as administrator of MTT for 23 years.