Richard D. Desrosiers

Richard Donald Desrosiers (Dick), age 88, of Myrtle Beach, passed away peacefully on 05/17/2024 surrounded by his daughter Karen and companion Lois. Dick enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and made everyone laugh with his great sense of humor and big smile. He recently enjoyed attending the wedding of his oldest grandson. Those who met him became instant friends given his warm, kind, and friendly personality. Dick enjoyed harness racing, running, golf, taking long walks on the beach, and watching the stock market. His daughter has fond childhood memories of watching him train the horses and helping him during race days. He also enjoyed watching sports and loved to cheer on his beloved New England teams as well as his alma mater, UMass. He enjoyed spending time with his companion Lois, and they attended the opera and symphony as well as playing golf and taking walks on the beach. 

Dick was born and grew up in Grafton Mass. He graduated from Saint John's High School in Sudbury and went on to earn his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where he met his wife Barbara (Durkee) Desrosiers at a fraternity Valentines party. He then went on to earn his PhD at Catholic University. He also received a certificate from the Yale Bureau of Highway Traffic and received the Best Paper by a Young Engineer Award from the Institute of Traffic Engineers. After college he worked for many years at the Bureau of Public Roads which became the Federal Highway Administration. Dick then decided to embark on a career in education sharing his knowledge with college students. He was a professor at UCONN before accepting a position at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he taught civil engineering for the bulk of his career. He was a member of the Harness Horseman's Association of New England, Civil Engineering Club and the Phi Mu Delta Fraternity.

Dick is predeceased by his wife, Barbara (Durkee) Desrosiers, his parents, Lucien and Florence (Plouffe) Desrosiers and his sister, Janet Tomkins. He is survived by his loving daughter, Karen Low, of Laconia NH. He was also loved by his grandchildren, Kevin Low and his wife Sabrine, Eric Low and Michael "Alex" Low. Richard will also be missed by his dear companion, Lois Macuga.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Richard on June 15, 2024, at 11am, in the CC Shepherd Funeral Home, located at 134 Pleasant St. (Columbian Sq.) South Weymouth. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Weymouth. Please consider a donation in Dick's name to the UMass College of Engineering using the link provided here. 

https://minutefund.uma-foundation.org/project/29554/donate?fund_id=ENG