Richard Austin Henderson

Richard Austin Henderson of Langdon place in Keene, NH, passed away on October 2, 2023, peacefully, with his wife and family by his side. He was born in Bryn Mawr, PA, on May 31,1929 to Herbert S. Henderson and Emily Janvier (Hamell) Henderson. Richard grew up in the Wayne, PA, area attending Radnor Elementary School and The Episcopal Academy, Class of ’47. He was a Cub and Boy Scout with Paoli Troop #1, becoming an Eagle Scout, and participated in a 125 mile canoe expedition in the Adirondacks sparking a life-long love of that park. He attended Princeton University, Class of “51 as an engineering student.

Upon graduation he enlisted in the Navy and was soon sent to Officers Training School when it became apparent that Boy Scouting had provided him with an extensive knowledge of semaphore and Morse Code. He served at the San Fransisco Naval Base on Treasure Island as well as the Naval Submarine Base New London, CT, during the Korean War, in charge of the degaussing station, demagnetizing ships.

On June 27, 1953 he married his longtime sweetheart, Alisan S. Buckley of Wayne, PA. Following the birth of their daughter and his honorable discharge in 1954 they returned to the Wayne area where they lived until 2022 when they moved to Keene, NH.

Richard worked for the Philadelphia Electric Company as an engineer in Systems Planning until his retirement. He was an extremely bright man who loved astronomy, physics, and hiking, especially in the Adirondacks, White Mountains, Colorado, and Wyoming. He used his artistic talents to paint portraits, a mural, create interior design and in landscape gardening. He was a life-long member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Radnor, PA, where he served on the vestry and numerous committees as well as singing bass in the choir. His devotion to the Church led him to study the precise and spiritual “writing” of icons in the Russian Orthodox tradition. Several of his icons hang in St. Martin’s Church. Music was also a passion of his and he sang with the Wayne Oratorio Society for many years. In addition to sacred music he embraced classical, jazz, rock and musicals along with all of the associated electronic gear required for listening and viewing. He was an avid photographer and video-maker. He loved history, especially Colonial American in the Philadelphia, New England and Colonial Williamsburg areas. He was a member of the Sons Of The American Revolution, having an ancestor who fought in that war and had always had an interest in genealogy but when the iPad came along he spent countless hours researching endless family lines. He enjoyed fine dining, fine vistas and travel to many places including, Italy, France, England, Colorado, Dubois, Wyoming, Tucson, AZ and Key West, FL. He was a kind, very focused, intellectual person, had a dry wit with a surprising sense of humor, generous in his support of the Arts well as many non-profits. And he enjoyed quality time with extended family and friends. Richard was a loyal friend and a gentle and loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is missed.

Richard is survived by his wife of 70 years, Alisan B. Henderson; his brother Herbert J. Henderson of Denver, CO; his daughter, Alice Funk and her husband, Mark, of Roxbury, NH; 4 nieces: Betsy (Lewis), Lydia, Zippy and Jan (John); 6 nephews: Spike, Mike (Judy), Buck, Doug, Bill, and Chad; 3 grandchildren: Alisan, Emily (Rob), Afton (Gabrielle); 4 great-grandchildren: Adelaide, Jack, Desmond and Wilfred.

Foley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. To express condolences to the Henderson/ Funk family, or to share a memory of Richard, please visit www.FoleyFuneralHome.com . In lieu of flowers please send donations in Richard’s memory payable to the Alzheimer’s Association and mail to Langdon Place Of Keene 136 Arch St. Keene, NH 03431.

A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, Keene, NH, on 12/28/23 at 11 AM. In addition, a memorial service will also be held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Radnor, PA, on August 3, 2024 with interment to follow at The Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery, Valley Forge Park, PA.