Richard Saltzman, 78

ORLANDO, FLA. – Richard Saltzman died on Oct. 14. He was the son of Albert and Mollie (Feldman) Saltzman. He was born in Rhode Island and later moved to Florida.

He graduated from the University of Rhode Island and the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He won numerous scholarships and academic honors. He was a gifted mathematician and did pre-doctorate research at the University of Florida, followed by long employment as an engineer and consultant to major aircraft and power generation companies. He made outstanding contributions to the discipline of stress analysis relating to pressure vessels and other structures.

He was an Eagle Scout at age 15, and went on to be a leader in scouting, encouraging boys from less fortunate neighborhoods to join scouting.

He was happiest when taking on intellectual challenges and developing his skills in new areas. He enjoyed working in amateur theater and performed with the Warren Players in Warren, Pa., as Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls.”

He enjoyed many of life’s pleasures including: bow hunting, skiing, riding several of his motorcycles, flying his own planes, dancing and running his own successful business single-handedly. He traveled extensively in this country and abroad. He is survived by brother Harvey Saltzman and many cousins.