Obituary of Richard Rawson

Thompson - Richard Rawson, 91, of Thompson, CT passed away peacefully on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Westview Healthcare Center in Dayville, CT. He was the beloved husband of Blanche (Waters) Rawson who predeceased him on August 19, 2014. Richard was born on June 1, 1926 in Thompson, CT, son of the late Edward and Bertha (Logee) Rawson.
Richard was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School and upon completion, enlisted in The Navy (Seabees), where he served in Okinawa building airstrips. In 1947, he founded Rawson Sand and Gravel, and began manufacturing much of the equipment that he would need for the business. Out of this necessity was born his passion for inventing and engineering, which he embodied for the duration of his life, even resulting in patents. One of the items on Richard’s bucket list was to rebuild the dam at the origination of the Five Mile River in Quaddick, with the goal of creating hydroelectric power, which ultimately required the construction of his own propeller turbines using induction generators. Part of his passion for all things mechanical centered on taking things apart, repairing them, and making them better than new; he did this for himself, family and friends. His repair shop, and the friendships built and fostered therein, were a great source of joy to him later in life. Undoubtedly, the greatest joy in his life was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He leaves behind his two sons, Allan (Kathie) Rawson of Putnam, James (Donna) Rawson of Thompson, his two brothers Nathan Rawson of Chesapeake, VA and David (Barbara) Rawson of Thompson, CT, his grandchildren, Benjamin (Joanne), Jeffrey (Jessica), Gary (Nikki), and KJ Rawson (Stephanie Crist) and Caitlin Dutiel (Will), his great grandchildren, Ian, Alec, Logan, Macy, Evan, Maya, Alice, Beau, Curtis, Blake and Grace, as well as several nieces and nephews; he was predeceased by a son Larry Rawson and a sister Rachel Tremblay.
Services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Thompson Hill Fire Department, Thompson, CT. Share a memory at www.smithandwalkerfh.com