Richard Floyd Finch

Richard Floyd Finch, 83, of Portland, Oregon died Sunday, August 12, 2018, in Portland, Oregon.

Services were held Saturday, August 18, 2018, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Don Stone, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Richard Floyd Finch was born July 29, 1935, to Richard Henry and Travis Elizabeth (Donald) Finch. He graduated from high school at age 16 years, soon becoming a manager in a department store. His love of automotive and mechanical technology led him to race Go-Karts and sports cars. He worked in Civil Service in the Aerospace industry at Vandenberg Air Force Base as well as with the Rocket Testing Program at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. His aerospace work also took him to the Marshall Islands during the Cold War years.

Graduating eventually from California Polytechnic State University in San Louis Obispo, California, Richard taught in Community Colleges, published technical books, and designed aeronautical devices. His greatest delight was in being accepted as an engineering team member at NASA’s Space Center in Florida. Richard retired in New Mexico, having acquired a love for the region near his earlier aerospace work. During his retirement years, he volunteered as an educator for the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Travis Finch, his wife Gayle E. Finch, and his sons Rocky Dale Finch and Richard Dean Finch.

Richard is survived by his siblings, E. Beth Johnson of Chennai, India, Roger Finch of Clarendon, and Phil Finch of Oregon, and is survived by a granddaughter Sara Gorlick of Austin, Texas.

Family requests that donations be made to Clarendon Citizen’s Cemetery Fund at P.O. Box 983, Clarendon, TX 79226.
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