Richard Ballou, better known as Dick, was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 5, 1948 to Paul and Dorothy Ballou. From the age of 7 he lived throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, finally settling in Ellington, CT in 1978. In 1965, Dick graduated from Springfield Technical High School where he received many awards including the Westinghouse Certificate for Excellence in Machine Shop Practice. He also participated on the crew team. In 1967, Dick graduated with an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Springfield Technical Institute. Throughout his 40-year career, Dick worked at Kollmorgen, Colts Manufacturing and Pratt & Whitney, focusing primarily on mechanical engineering and aerospace. During his work, Dick received two patents, one for a sound absorbing structure for use in gas turbine engines. For several years, Dick also designed and built decks on the weekends.
Dick enjoyed many hobbies and aspects of life. He frequently told stories of his world travels, including adventures across the country, backpacking throughout Europe, the multi-day Summer Jam at Walkens Glen in 1973, a trip to Alaska with his dad and frequent visits to his cousins in New Jersey. Food and drink, another pleasure of Dick’s life, especially fine dining, filet mignon, lobster, corn on the cob, beer, margartitas and the best meal of the year: Thanksgiving. He also loved cars, golf, target shooting on the gun range with his son, and a good cigar. Most of all Dick enjoyed fishing, including day trips on his boat in local ponds, party boat fishing throughout New England, and week-long fishing trips to Lake Winnipesaukee.
Of all the things Dick loved in life, the most important above all else was his family. He will be greatly missed by his daughter Dana and her husband Nicholas Vitterito, his son David Ballou and his wife Cori Frankovitch, two granddaughters Hadley and Nora Ballou, sister Judy and her husband Bill Deane, nephews Greg and Matt Deane, and many aunts, cousins and life-long friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association at 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108.
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