Richard W. Barrows, 97, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2019. Born in Springfield, on March 7, 1922, he was the son of the late Clayton E. & Gladys (Moulton) Barrows. A graduate of Springfield Technical High School in 1940, Richard went on to receive a BA degree in Business Management from Western New England University.
He was employed by Package Machinery Co. as a draftsman in 1940 and retired as Engineering Coordinator in 1986, completing 46 years of service. Richard was a veteran of WWII having served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 with the rank of QM3C. He did air navigation work for Fleet Air Wing 14 on North Island, San Diego, CA. He was later assigned to Joint Intelligence Command, Pacific Ocean Area on Oahu. When the war ended, Richard was assigned to The Strategic Bomb Survey Group in Tokyo, Japan.
He has been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church since 1959 and served on many committees. He was active during the 1960s in the Parent Teachers Association and the PTA Council. He was a member of the Ward 7 Republican Committee and City Republican Committee. He was very active in The Homeowners Protective Association, and as a member of the Springfield School Volunteers. He was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. While working for Package Machinery Co., he was an advisor for Junior Achievement for several years.
Richard married Wilma Ott in 1951 and they had 5 children; Richard Barrows, Jr. (deceased) & wife Leslie, Alan & Christine Barrows, Susan & Gary Gingras, Carol & Thom Dearborn and John & Marcy Barrows. In 1977, Richard married Claire O’Donnell. Claire had three children; namely Cathy Keyes, Wayne O’Donnell and Mark O’Donnell. Richard leaves his sister, Virginia Wright, his 4 children, 3 stepchildren, 19 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Sadly, he was predeceased by his sisters Betty Poggi & Marjorie Josephson.
There will be a memorial service Saturday, June 8, 11AM at Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Ave. in Springfield with burial at a later date in MA Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, c/o Dick Barrows Memorial Fund. Please visit www.TazziniFuneralHome.com to sign Richard's guestbook.