Richard Lunt “Dick” Perkins Jr.
January 26, 1958 - July 15, 2025
Richard Lunt “Dick” Perkins Jr., age 67, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Wilmington, Delaware.
Born on January 26, 1958, in Boston, Massachusetts, Dick grew up with a deep curiosity and a love for learning. He graduated from Concord High School in Concord, New Hampshire, in 1976, and went on to earn his degree in Aerospace Engineering, graduating magna cum laude from Boston University in 1989.
An exceptionally intelligent and wonderfully funny man, Dick brought both skill and humor to everything he did. Over the course of his career, he worked as an aerospace engineer on numerous projects for Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, and NASA. Dick retired from Boeing in January 2025, closing a remarkable professional chapter.
Outside of his work, Dick was a talented photographer and an avid lover of the arts. He traveled often to attend exhibitions by his favorite artists, sometimes revisiting the same works in different venues just to experience them in new settings. His curiosity and appreciation for beauty left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Richard L. Perkins Sr. and Laura M. Perkins. He is survived by his brother, David F. Perkins; his sister, Nancy E. Perkins; and his nieces and nephews: Elizabeth, Thayer, and Eleanor Dungan, and Benjamin Ainslie.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 pm until 4 pm on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, Delaware, where a memorial service will begin at 4 pm. Inurnment will be held privately. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, c/o Development Office, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 or online by clicking here; or The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028 or online by clicking here.
Rick Heckenstaller
I enjoyed working side by side with Dick for many years. We shared many hours together at work and traveling to and from remote locations. He was one of my best friends at Boeing and I will miss him.
Phil Winter
RIP.
Jean Dyson
I loved our lab chats, hearing of all your adventures! I was blessed to have worked with you my whole career. Truly a renaissance man with a sharp wit and an adventurous soul. Godspeed my friend. You will be missed. May your family find peace in their warm memories with you.
Richard Slater
My Prayers and Condolences to the Family. Dick was a coworker of mine and he was always a pleasure to be around. Very sharp and witty. I enjoyed having lunches with him and I always learned something new during our conversations.
Jim Fee
If only we had time for a few more lunches, we could have solved all the worlds problems.
Joseph Scandle
Dick possessed a vibrant spirit that had the remarkable ability to illuminate any space he entered. His charisma and warmth made him not only an exceptional mentor but also a cherished friend. Throughout our relationship, I have come to appreciate his wisdom and guidance, which have significantly influenced my personal and professional growth. His insights were always delivered with a genuine desire to help others, making him a beacon of support in my life.
Although my own travels have been limited to the United States, I found immense joy in hearing about Dick’s extraordinary journeys around the globe. His stories were filled with vivid descriptions of breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, and unforgettable experiences. Each narrative transported me to far-off places, allowing me to experience the thrill of adventure through his eyes. In this way, I lived vicariously through his escapades, feeling a sense of connection to the wider world that I had yet to explore myself.
Thank you Dick, you will surely be missed, but never forgotten. You have truly left a mark on everyone’s life that will live on forever.
Stan Salamon
Dick was a consummate professional. His encyclopedic knowledge and long history with Boeing exhibited a rare and prized wisdom. He had the natural ability to get along with people. I consider him a good friend. It has been a privilege to know and work with him.
Hal Sterenbuch
Dick was a good friend and great co-worker. Working with Dick was always enjoyable and very productive. Interacting with Dick for over 17 years at Boeing made the work fly by and enhanced my experience and productivity. You spend more time with some co-workers then your own family thus making my friendship with him priceless.
Desmond Burrowes
My wife and I found Richard to be a quiet, respectful and bright spirit, who was open to talk with anyone who encountered him. I enjoyed the few walks/talks I had with him in our neighborhood. His love of art and his curiosity was evident to all who made time to know him. We will miss him.
Michael Blake
I worked with Dick for many years at Boeing. He was very intelligent and knowledgeable about many subjects. It was always a pleasure talking with him. I have been out of Boeing now for 4 years. I am 4 years poorer now for not being around him.
Jane Eng
He was a most helpful and kind person when I had a opportunity to work with him. He is a genuinely good person and very witty.
Douglas Eaton
Dick had a quiet wisdom, patience, and brilliance that he brought to our conversations over the years. He always made time to help others learn and grow. I’m very glad to have known him, and am grateful for the times where our paths crossed. He is missed and will be remembered.
Matthew Sanchez
Dick was always a blessing around the office. I enjoyed working with him and tackling difficult problems with him. Dick, you will be missed thanks for all the good times.
Brian Burris
I didn’t know Dick well but remember him from high school. Always seemed like a very nice person. I am sorry to read of his passing.
Tracy Antoniades
Dick was one of the first people I met at work while sitting in the lab. He was so helpful, enjoyable to talk to, and professional and funny at the same time. I would run into him in Starbucks and he would share photos of his adventures. Condolences to the family and he will be missed.
Sue Kane
Richard was a member of our extended family. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or a birthday, he brought a quiet yet warm presence to our table.
Over the years, there have been many family celebrations, outings and vacations that we shared. His interests were vast and his enthusiasm was evident in his conversations.
Richard’s passing has left a huge void in our family and an empty seat at our table. His presence will be sorely missed.
Tom Kelly
Dick was a special kind of person. He treated everyone with respect and tried to make everyone around him feel comfortable and needed. He will be sorely missed!
Kirk Thompson
You made the world a better place
Peoples lives are better because of who you were and what you did.
My life is a bit better because of you
Thank you Dick.
See you on the flip side
Kayla Ongpoy
Dick was one of the first people I worked with at Ridley Park and I remember thinking how smart and fun he was. I’m so grateful to have learned from him technically as well as enjoyed our conversations about traveling, Paris, biking, Hamilton, etc. RIP, and my heart goes out to your family.
Josh Salinger
Dick was a warm presence in any setting and in any crowd. His personability, charm, and intellect shined brightly through countless conversations on arts, culture, and machines. He was a fine human, and the world is both richer for his having been in it, and poorer for his absence. He will be missed.