Richard Hobart Dimmock

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of retiree Richard Hobart Dimmock on October 16. He was 93.

Born to David W. and Marjorie Dimmock in Worcester, Mass., Dick spent his childhood in Pocasset, Mass. When he was 8, his mother died from cancer.

He and his father moved to Hatchville shortly after his 12th birthday. There they owned and managed Hunky Dory Farm. When his father married Dorothy Gardyne, the young Mr. Dimmock gained a loving and supportive stepmother.

Farm life developed him into a hard-working young man, and he was known for his good nature while delivering eggs and milk throughout the area.

A member of the Class of 1946 at Lawrence High School, he attended Guilford College in North Carolina.

Dick began his career at WHOI in 1948 as a technician. Soon his National Guard unit was federalized, and he served for two years during the Korean War. He returned to WHOI in 1952. In 1956, he became an electrician’s helper under Fred Gaskell.  In 1968, he was promoted to on-site construction representative. In 1971, he was promoted to ship’s repair coordinator. In 1974, he was promoted to port engineer under Richard Edwards and in 1991, he was promoted to manager of marine operations.  His responsibilities took him around the world coordinating repairs and maintenance on WHOI’s fleet. He retired from WHOI in 1992.

Following his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling to visit family, attending PGA tournaments, and taking cruises to visit Alaskan and Caribbean ports.

Dick spent time honing his woodworking skills and made repairs to extend the life of items used in maintaining and enjoying a home. He also gardened and bicycled, among other pastimes.

He was a frequent attendee of morning coffee and lunch group meetings and contributed to the outings with his sense of humor and ability as a storyteller.

He was the husband of Margaret (Scharff) Dimmock. They wed March 7, 1959, at the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Barbara Collins, and her husband, Jack Collins; his son, Richard (Bart) H. Dimmock Jr. and his wife, Amy Dimmock; two grandchildren, Brittany Woodland and Mark Dimmock; and other family.

A funeral service will be celebrated on Friday, November 5, at 11 a.m., at Church of the Messiah, 22 Church Street, Woods Hole, Mass.

Burial will follow at Churchyard Cemetery, Woods Hole.

Information for this obituary is from the Falmouth Enterprise