SUN CITY, Ariz. - Dr.Richard G. Long passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2009, following a lengthy illness.
Born June 28, 1931, in Dallas, Iowa, Richard (Dick) spent his formative years in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Grandview Junior College, then continued his education at Reed College in Portland, Ore., receiving a master's degree in mathematics in 1952. He graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle with a Ph.D. in mathematics and computer science in 1957. He began his professional teaching career in Connecticut at Wesleyan College.
In 1965, he accepted a teaching position at the University of California, Berkeley where he became involved in innovative educational film making. The position required extensive travel between Berkeley and Boston, Mass., and in 1969 Dick accepted a teaching position in mathematics and computer science at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. At Lawrence, he was chair of his department for many years. He was instrumental in establishing the first computer science program at Lawrence and was highly respected by his colleagues and students as a committed and compassionate educator. He retired from Lawrence University in 1993.
Dick married Gretchen Page Lutey in 1981. After his retirement, together they purchased a winter home in Sun City, Ariz., and continued to spend summers at their cottage on Lake Superior in Marquette.
Dr. Long was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, sister Alberta, and stepson Russ Lutey.
He is survived by his wife, Gretchen; brothers Mario and Dale of Iowa; children Christopher Long of Albuquerque, N.M., Timothy (Michelle) Long of Appleton, Wis., Gillian (Richard) Phelps of Albuquerque, N.M., Hillary (Octavio) of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; and stepchildren Tim (Rebecca) Lutey, Christine Lutey, and Phil (Paula) Lutey, all of Marquette. He also is survived by grandchildren Ariana Long, Andrei, Natasha and Adrian Phelps, Octavio, Iliana and Alvaro Villa; and step grandchildren Sara, Samantha, Jenna, Jacob, Cameron, Amanda, Morgan and Matthew Lutey.
Funeral arrangements are being arranged by the Neptune Society. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656.
A memorial celebration of Dick's life will be held this summer at Middle Island Point in Marquette.
