Richard C. Fox, 96, of Wilmington, DE formerly of North Syracuse, NY passed away February 27, 2023 at Forwood Manor of natural causes. He was the son of the late Clyde P. and Harriet C. Fox and was predeceased by his sister, Patricia J. Fox. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 during WWII, attended Purdue University Naval School and served on the destroyer USS Conner DD582 with the 7th fleet in the Pacific Theater under Admiral Nimitz.
Having graduated from Syracuse University, College of Applied Science in 1950 with a degree in Industrial Engineering, he was employed by Allied Chemical Corp at the Syracuse Works that same year; transferring to the Delaware Works in Wilmington, DE in 1968 where he retired after 30 years of service in 1980. After retirement, he was briefly employed by Scott Paper Co, in Chester, PA before starting his career counseling firm, Fox & Associates, retiring again in 1988.
He was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, the Louisiana Veterans Memorial Foundation with a special interest in their WWII Fletcher Class Destroyer Memorial, the USS Conner Organization and the Syracuse University Alumni Association.
He took special pleasure in his volunteer work with the United Campaign of the Syracuse Community Chest. He was active in the Loaned Executive Program setting up fund drives in businesses throughout the Syracuse region. He was assistant chairman of the Area Business Division and Chairman of the Loaned Executive Program achieving record setting contributions. His activities included memberships in the American Association for Counseling & Development, American Society for Training & Development, Administrative Management Society, AHE, AIChE, Syracuse Technology Club and past chairman of the Suggestion Council of Syracuse Manufacturing Association.
During his later years, Richard developed many friendships especially after moving from the family’s long time home on Berwyn Road and into Forwood Manor. He not only continued to use his engineering and well-honed people skills to assist him with his many projects, tasks and life hacks but he also used them to help others working and residing at the Manor. If you told him about a problem, you can believe his mind started whirring on a possible solution; particularly if it involved making something mechanical. He was very good at gentle nudging and suggestions on how to improve things whether he was asked or just from his many analytical observations. More than his many positive traits, Richard was known for the love of his family and friends and his kindness to everyone he met.
He is survived by his two sons, Paul Silverfox and Russell Fox and his wife, Lillie; two granddaughters, Deanna Fox and Melissa (Mark) Uva, great granddaughter Gianna Uva and his granddaughters’ mother, Deborah DePasquale Fox.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE.. Visitation will start at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be March 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in Morningside Cemetery, Syracuse, NY.
It is suggested that memorial contributions be sent to the Louisiana Veterans Memorial Foundation, 305 S. River Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.
