Richard W. Griffiths, otherwise known as Dick, died April 25 in Santa Barbara. He was 88. ”Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Dick graduated from the University of Washington in 1938. In early 1943, he accepted a position as staff member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where until the end of World War II he worked developing, installing, and testing microwave radar for the military. After the war, Dick became an independent consultant in the electronic and engineering fields. In the early 1980s, his interest in fiber optics resulted in the award of 11 patents in the U.S. and abroad. This led to his founding of G2 Systems Corp. In 1995 Dick survived pancreatic cancer. He firmly believed his cure was the result of prayers to Father Junipero Serra and devoted his remaining years to helping promote Father Serra’s path to sainthood. All of his medical records were turned over to the ‘Cause’ at the Santa Barbara Mission. Dick was an avid sailor all his life. Wherever his travels took him he managed to find a boat to sail. He built and raced Star boats on both coasts and was a life member of the Seattle Yacht Club. Dick and his family were residents of Pacific Palisades for over 40 years and were active members of Corpus Christi Parish. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Claire; son John of Beaverton, Oregon; daughters Sharon Troll and Robin Rodnick of Santa Barbara; and five grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 14, 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Montecito. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.
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