Richard Daskivich

Richard Anthony Daskivich, 78, died Wednesday, January 29th, 2020, in Palos Verdes, California, where he and his wife, Patricia, resided together for 37 years. Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, on March 26th, 1941, he was the oldest son of the late John Daskivich and late Kathryn (Horchar) Daskivich. Richard and Patricia (Medvetz) Daskivich were married for for 54 and 1/2 years at the time of Richard's passing. Richard's academic and professional accomplishments continued throughout his life. He received a Bachelor's degree in 1963 from Pennsylvania State University, then completed a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering at Wayne State University, a second Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University, and work towards a Doctoral degree until leaving further academic pursuits in "all but dissertation" status, then wholly applying his skills, knowledge and abilities to his profession. From 1964 until 1980 he worked at the General Motors Research Laboratories in Warren, Michigan. From 1980 to 1983 Richard worked at Detroit Diesel on the design team for the Series 60 diesel engine, which came to be known as one of the most reliable and longest-running engines of its kind at the time. Until the time of his passing, Richard regarded this as one of his most significant and personally meaningful professional accomplishments, an enduring source of satisfaction to him. Throughout his life, he would take opportunities to talk with over-the-road long distance truck drivers and inquire about their impressions of the Series 60 they were running in their trucks, and enjoyed hearing their consistent praises of that workhorse of an engine. In August 1983, Richard was sought out by a headhunter to work for Hughes Aircraft Corporation in El Segundo, California, for his expertise in Cryogenics. Richard worked for Hughes in many capacities, including as Project Manager for the Electro-Optical Systems Group / Cryogenics & Controls Laboratory, Project Manager for Chargers in Power Control Systems, and Program Manager for the Space Systems Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance division. Later in his career at Hughes the company was acquired by General Motors, and GM quickly directed Richard's expertise as an engineering leader for the charging system for the innovative EV-1 Electric Vehicle, Delco Electronics Division. After retiring from Hughes, Richard was immediately recruited by Raytheon Systems Company to serve as Director for Space Systems Engineering Programs. After "retiring" a number of times, Richard's expertise continued to be sought out, with the result that Richard continued to work on projects of interest to him including with The Aerospace Corporation as a Senior Project Engineer and later for Integrity Applications Incorporated as a Distinguished Fellow. The latter role continued until near the time of his death. In the recent years of his career, Richard was pleased to work only if he wanted, exactly when he wanted, and with what focus he wanted, but nothing else, focusing on family. More importantly to Richard than his profession, were his many other satisfying life roles as a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Friend, Citizen and Servant. Throughout his life he continued to follow and was actively engaged in a multitude of domestic and global topics and issues, deliberate in his avid reading and analysis on matters of importance, aligned with his life-long focus of his time, energies and resources to somehow make this world better for generations to follow. Surviving are his wife Patricia; son Brian; daughter Lara; grandson Miles; brother John and his wife, Bobbi, of Allison Park; sister Kathy of Luceremines; and many loving relatives of the Daskivich and Medvetz families. He regretted that his medical conditions prevented him from attending his Aunt Sue Horchor's 100th birthday celebration in Pennsylvania in November, 2019. Richard's nephew, David Medvetz, called his Uncle Dick, "the Voice of Reason" and "an inspirational light to all those who knew him, whose delightful sense of humor equalled his genius mentality." Richard and Patricia enjoyed many years of Cajun - Zydeco dancing; international and national travels, exploring the many U.S. National Parks, and especially spending memorable times with their children and relatives in Wyoming, Oregon and Pennsylvania. He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched, including the medical staff and caretakers who stated even the day before his passing that Richard, aware that he was soon to be leaving this world, thanked them for all their help.