Richard A. Batchelder

Richard Arthur Batchelder, age 80 of Huntington Beach, CA., formerly of Peabody, Ma., died Dec. 20th 2008. He was the son of the late Arthur P. and Elma (Reuther) Batchelder.

Raised and educated in Peabody Mr. Batchelder was the valedictorian of Peabody High School Class of 1945 as were his father and great aunt before him. He graduated from MIT in 1949 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and received his Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1950. He was employed for many years in the Aerospace Division of the McDonnell-Douglas-Boeing Corp and was an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

A long time resident of Huntington Beach, Mr. Batchelder would often return home to Peabody where he was a member of the Peabody (MA) Historical Society and the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

During his spare time he enjoyed travel, mountain climbing in New Hampshire, tennis, golf and working on his genealogy. He was an expert ping pong player, who was rarely beaten. He also played the piano by ear, playing all the favorite tunes of the day. Mr. Batchelder was a life-long devout member of the Christian Science Church.

He is survived by his sister Carol Jones and her husband Duane of Concord. Two nephews Stephen Jones of Maynard, Rev. Jeffrey Jones of Virginia and a niece Linda Jones of New York City as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews.