Richard G. "Dick" Terwilliger

On December 18, 2016, in Falls Church, VA following his battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born and raised in the small town of Saint Louis, Michigan. Survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Louise Terwilliger, and his children Jeanne Holmberg, Patrick Terwilliger, Michael Terwilliger, Claire Newman and grandchildren John Holmberg, James Terwilliger, Patrick Terwilliger Jr, Katharine Terwilliger, Sean Terwilliger, Thomas Terwilliger, Ted Terwilliger, and great grandchildren Lucas Holmberg and Jillian Holmberg. He is preceded in death by his son Richard Terwilliger III. Dick graduated from University of Michigan in 1943 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, and entered directly into the US Navy. While in the Navy, he met his wife-to-be Louise while both were serving at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Following WWII, he was briefly posted in Shanghai, China, later to be assigned with his family to Kodiak AK, London England, and Pensacola, FL. Dick then transferred military branches to the USArmy, where following a 2-year assignment with his family in Tehran, Iran before the Iranian Revolution, they lived in Falls Church. After a 22-year military career, Dick enjoyed working at NASA on several weather satellite programs for approximately 10 years, then retiring to spend time on environmental issues and leisure activities, particularly hiking. Among his environmental contributions, he was an elected official on the Fairfax County Conservation Board for many terms, and was later appointed to the Fairfax County Water Authority. Dick became a passionate hiker, organizing and leading week-long group hikes locally, in the northeast United States, and in Europe. In the hiking community Dick was widely known as “Iron Legs Terwilliger” because of his strength and endurance on long hikes in the mountains. His preference was the most challenging mountain trails. His locations of choice included the White mountains in New Hampshire, the Adirondacks in New York, the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, and European alpine regions; particularly the Alps of Slovenia and Croatia. For years on most Saturdays he led day hikes in the Shenandoah Mountains and other nearby venues for the Sierra Club. For years on most Saturdays he led day hikes in the Shenandoah Mountains and other nearby venues for the Sierra Club. He organized and led these hikes continuously until he was 78, and assisted others beyond that.

Funeral Mass on Friday, December 23, 2016, 1:00pm at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave. Falls Church, VA 22046