Richard Daniel Jones

Richard D. “Dick” Jones, D.Sc., age 98, passed away Monday, October 5, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is survived by his daughters, Margaret (Don) Lenk of Albuquerque, Ellen (John) Kirby of Tuttle, OK; and son, Daniel (Sue) Jones of Albuquerque. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Tom (Terri) Lenk, Amanda (Kieshok) Lenk, Aaron Kirby, Bryce Kirby, Sara (Lauren) Jones, Elizabeth Jones; and three great-grandchildren, Ben Lenk, Zander Kirby, and Ewan Jones. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Jones; and infant son, Richard Burton Jones.

Dick was born on June 7, 1922 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Daniel and Margaret Jones. He grew up in a Welsh community in downtown Johnstown and even though his parents spoke fluent Welsh, they only spoke English in his presence as was the custom of the time. After graduating from Johnstown’s Central High School, Dick attended Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania where he earned a triple major baccalaureate degree in English, Mathematics and Physics (Magna Cum Laude). During WW2, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Signal Corps, specializing in radar. While stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, he met his future wife, Doris Young. They were married on June 2, 1946 and would remain married for 67 years until Doris' death in 2013. Following the war, Dick received a master’s degree in mathematics from Washington and Jefferson. He and Doris then moved to Houston where he earned a master’s degree in physics from Rice University where he was an Office of Naval Research Fellow. He was hired by Sandia Labs in 1950 and worked at the labs for 46 years as an electrical engineer. During his tenure there, he became one of the first two recipients of the Doctor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico.

Dick was very interested in biblical archaeology and participated in many scholarly expeditions to Israel, most notably with Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Mt. Zion), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Tel Batash - 4 expeditions), the University of South Florida (Sepphoris) and Harvard (Ashkelon). He was a fervent student of Old Testament texts and Hebrew, amassing a library of over 200 works on the subject. At age 75, Dick earned a master’s degree in biblical studies from Trinity Theological Seminary (University of Liverpool) in Albuquerque.

Dick’s volunteer efforts were extensive including service with the United Methodists Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in Bosnia, Cimarron (NM), and Bolivia as well as with Heal the Children in Guatemala. He also volunteered at the Albuquerque Rescue Mission. Dick returned to UNM and received a Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration from the School of Public Administration to facilitate his volunteer work as a tutor with various ministries at the Los Lunas Correctional Center, Central New Mexico Correctional Facility and the Bernalillo County Correctional Facility. He also helped implement the Religious Studies program at UNM and once served as President of The Friends of Religious Studies.

Dick loved pipe organs and attending organ concerts whenever possible. He studied their construction and was familiar with most of the pipe organs in Albuquerque, sometimes providing financial support to congregations for their construction. He owned a small single rank pipe organ and dreamed of building one of paper pipes. He eventually got started on this very labor-intensive endeavor upon retiring and completed one rank of pipes.

Dick was brought up in the Congregational Church, but he and Doris eventually became members of the Montgomery Church of Christ where he remained a member until his death. He and his good friend, Paul Ward, joined men from Montgomery Church of Christ for breakfast on Saturdays at Furr's Cafeteria. Over the years Dick got to know other families and groups who also ate there regularly. A unique community developed of people who enjoyed and cared for each other. Dick was also a part of the Church family at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Albuquerque where he attended services and was active with the Men’s Prayer Group. He enjoyed and attended most Evensong services at the Cathedral Church of St. John in downtown Albuquerque.

Dick sang in a cappella Church of Christ choirs, but particularly enjoyed singing Welsh hymns with the Welsh Society in Albuquerque.

He had a particular affinity for dachshunds, having enjoyed the companionship of several over the years. However, until his death, Dick loved Doris’ Pomeranian “Bo”.

Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Roadrunner Foodbank. Special thanks to the staff at The Watermark at Cherry Hills and Ambercare for their loving care to the very end.