Richard Russell Strickland, 72, of St. James, passed away on September 23, 2018.

A son of the late Russell and Gertrude Guerette Strickland, Richard was born on April 25, 1946, in Fall River, MA. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and served in the Pacific during the Vietnam War. While a young married working parent, he went to school at night, earning his bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics from the University of Massachusetts–Bridgewater. He also went on to earn his M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth. After years of working for several companies, he rose to international director of marketing, which fit with his love of travel and keen mind. In 2003, he founded his own business, RF Safety Solutions, which provided consultation and training in radio frequency safety. According to colleagues, Richard was recognized as a person of technical stature in the RF hazards community.

He and his wife were avid cruisers of Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, and even Tahiti to South America, and he looked forward to adding countries to the more than 70 he had already visited. Richard was also a master craftsman and woodworker, building beautiful cabinetry and furniture of his own designs. In later years, he was an amateur photographer who took beautiful landscape and wildlife photos.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 51 years, Claudia; daughters, Tara Strickland of Plainsboro, NJ, Kristen Gilbert of Ft. Worth, TX; a sister, Carolyn Duprey and husband James of West Warwick, RI; and his beloved dogs, Jake and Brandi.

No local services are planned at this time. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to Adopt an ANGEL in Wilmington or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.