Richard Orr Giorgis

Rich was born in Bozeman, Montana, and lived with his mother and maternal grandparents on their ranch until his father returned from serving in the U.S. Army in 1946.  Rich and his parents then moved to his dad’s hometown, Rock Springs, Wyoming.  Rich grew up in Rock Springs, enjoying the freedom of living in the high desert, hiking in the Wind River Range,  and spending summers on his grandparents’ ranch.  After graduating from high school, he attended college at the University of Wyoming, in Laramie, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1966. 

He moved to Maryland to take a job with the U.S. Navy at the Naval Ordnance Lab.  He attended grad school at Catholic University and the University of Maryland, where he earned his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics.  It was while he was there that he met Karen.  They married in 1968.  They lived in Maryland until 1976, when they moved to King George, Virginia.  He worked at NSWC and NAVSEA until 1999.  He spent a year taking the Master Gardener course and landscaping the yard.  Rich became an independent consultant for several defense-related companies, for ten years.

Rich was active in the Boy Scouts of America from childhood, as a Scout and then as an assistant when his sons were in Scouts.  His hobbies were woodworking and landscaping.  He thoroughly enjoyed being with his grandchildren, especially times at Keuka Lake.

Rich passed away on Saturday, June 11, at home with his family, due to complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma.

Rich is survived by his wife, Karen; three sons – Daniel (Ryan), Scott (Tania) and Craig (Karen); and five grandchildren – Clara, Isabelle, Dominick, Owen and Elena.

At his request, there will be no service.

Donations in his memory may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Southeast (NC and VA), P.O.Box 22443, New York, NY 10087-2443.