Obituary: Lloyd, Richard Morris Iii “Dick”
Age 53
LLOYD,
Richard
Morris III “Dick”
Schoolyard legend, rocket scientist, loving father and loyal friend, passed away Friday morning after a brave and inspiring battle against cancer.
He was born March 5, 1961.
He would become one of the finest athletes the Spokane Valley has ever produced, starring in baseball, football and basketball.
His was a beautiful, natural physical grace.
Those who watched him compete will never forget it.
His senior year at East Valley High School, he was an All-State quarterback, he led the Frontier League in scoring in basketball, and was drafted by the LA Dodgers as a pitcher.
Friends and classmates remember him as a sweet, gentle champion, shy but friendly.
He played professional baseball for three years, and then attended Washington State University, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
He graduated in 1986 with two engineering degrees.
His fascination with mathematics blossomed into a stunning career as a ballistic missile engineer of the highest caliber.
He moved to Boston and worked for Raytheon.
Before he was finished he would have more than forty patents under his name.
He wrote two books about warhead design, did work at the Pentagon and traveled the world instructing in his field and meeting with defense experts at the very highest levels.
In recent months he published work questioning what he believed to be exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, and casting doubt on specific claims by the U.S. Government that Syria’s leader had attacked his people with gas.
Dick Lloyd was a sweet, loving man who adored his two daughters, loved his work, collected old baseball cards and new friends, and was a true genius.
He is survived by his daughters Alexandra and Olivia Lloyd and their mother Lori, his loving mother Lorraine Krank, brother John, step-sister Carla, and an endless string of junior high and high school hitters traumatized by the memory of helplessly flailing at his blazing fastball.
Dick Lloyd was 53 years old.
Dick’s family would like to offer special thanks to his doctors for their tireless efforts and care during his desperate fight against cancer.
Dr. J. Demakas, Dr. C. Newman, Dr. P. Myers, and Dr. W. Lamoreaux.
Also a warm thanks to Lou-Anne and Kim, from Hospice of Spokane for their tender compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Spokane will be appreciated.
Funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 4521 N. Arden Rd, Otis Orchards (behind Otis Elementary School) on Saturday, November 8th at 11:00 AM.
Burial will be at St. Joseph’s cemetery on Trent Rd.
Reception to follow at church.