Richard J. Spady

Richard J. Spady, age 97, passed peacefully on Sunday, May 24 at his home in Johnson City, Tennessee. He is survived by his beloved wife of 74 years, Mary, his sons Richard (Nancy) of Chester New Jersey and Michael (Rhonda) of Johnson City, and three granddaughters: Emma, Rose, and Rachel.

Dick grew up in the Somerton section of Philadelphia, working a colorful variety of jobs--setting bowling pins, lifeguarding, working a soda fountain, tending muskrat traps--while attending and graduating from the city's Central High School, where he captained the cross-country team. He then obtained an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University and later, while working, graduate degrees in electrical engineering and business. In the 1950's and 60's he worked on process instrumentation for firms in the Philadelphia area, receiving patents for inventions in measurement and control. Among his inventions were specialized analog to digital convertors and fluid flow measurement devices. He was an early pioneer in the use of semiconductor devices in these areas, ruefully explaining that one of his unpatented inventions was a computer on two chips--he couldn't get all the circuitry onto one. In the 1970's he and Mary moved to Claremont California where he was director of a research department of 100+ employees supporting the development of process control instruments for use in nuclear power plants, nuclear submarines, deep oil wells, and other extreme environments. He retired in 1989, moving first to Palm Harbor Florida and then to Johnson City.

Dick was fond of the outdoors and fishing, although his success with the latter was limited. He took his young family on camping vacations to ever more remote parts of eastern Canada, culminating in a trip to Chibougamau, Quebec, after which he moderated his ambitions.

Throughout his life Dick demonstrated good humor, patience, and generosity to family, friends, and those he met along the way. He was good with his hands, keen of mind, and nimbly athletic when young and graceful when old. He believed in Jesus Christ and the life to come.

Dick’s family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Monday, June 8, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will follow, at 1:00 pm, under the direction of Father Dustin Collins. He will be laid to rest  at Forest Hills/Shalom Memorial Park in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com

Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E. Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is honored to serve the Spady family. (423) 282-1521