Lasting Memories

Richard M. Mandle
July 2, 1921-Aug. 30, 2015
Palo Alto, California

Richard M. Mandle, 94, of Palo Alto, California, and longtime resident of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, died at his home on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015. He was the devoted husband of Barbara B. Mandle, who passed in 1998, and the longtime companion of Jean Albro who predeceased him in 2009. He is survived by his two siblings, John B. Mandle of Santa Barbara, California, and Elizabeth McGonagle of Nashua, New Hampshire; his three sons and daughters-in-law, Peter (Marianne), James (Grace) and Thomas (Susan); along with an extended family that includes six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; and his dear friend Mary Taube. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert J. Mandle,

Dick graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York, in 1942, and went on to serve in the Army Air Force Chemical Warfare Service in Guam during World War II receiving the Legion of Merit for his invention of a device that significantly increased the capacity of B-29s.

He was well-known in both his career and in his retirement years as a unique creative problem-solver and life-long "tinker." His skills and knowledge crossed a broad range of disciplines. After the war he helped found Rare Earths Inc. in Wayne, New Jersey, which subsequently became a division of W. R. Grace. He later served as executive vice president of Electro Nucleonics Inc., where his work led to the separation of hepatitis and AIDS viruses for the National Institutes of Health. He was awarded many patents over his lifetime in widely divergent fields, attesting to his unique abilities and imagination. He always enjoyed working in his shop inventing new products and techniques, as well as building and repairing items for his fellow residents at Vi of Palo Alto.

All knew him as a humble, honest, ingenious man, who was always considerate of others. Most of all he loved his family and friends.