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In Memory

Richard Gaskins - Class of 1952

Idaho State Journal, 08/18/08

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — Richard C. Gaskins, 74, of Media, a grandson of Idaho pioneers and retired President of Westinghouse, China, died Wednesday of complications from internal bleeding at Shore Memorial Hospital near Ocean City, N.J.

Mr. Gaskins was a grandson of Idaho pioneers and the son of William and Ruby Gaskins, who lived in Pocatello for much of their life until their deaths. Mr. Gaskins was a graduate of Montpelier High School in Idaho, where he was the student body president. He went on to the University of Idaho where he graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1957. In addition to graduating as one of the top 10 seniors in his class, he was on the Executive Board of the Associated Students of the University of Idaho, a member of several honorary societies, and the cadet captain in the university’s NROTC program. During his early years at Westinghouse, he received his Business and Managing Certificate from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

From 1957-59 he served in the Navy as part of a special weapons team on the Essex and the Roosevelt. He remained in the Naval Reserves into the mid-80s where he served as the commanding officer of the reserve units in Ridley Township and the Philadelphia Naval base. He retired as a Captain.

Mr. Gaskins began working for Westinghouse during the summers while attending college in the mid-50s. At that time, he worked on the world’s first nuclear power plant in Arco, Idaho, and helped write the operating manual for the reactor on the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus. He began working full time for Westinghouse in 1959. He was the Manager of Marketing for Large Steam Turbines in Philadelphia before becoming an International Sales Manager in Pittsburgh and then the President of Westinghouse, China. He began traveling to China in 1981 and lived there from 1986-1997 with his mission being to spread electric power throughout China. Most of the major nuclear power plant contracts during his tenure in China went to Westinghouse as a result of his efforts. He won Westinghouse’s highest honor, the Order of Merit, on December 7, 1994. He retired from Westinghouse in 1997.

Throughout his life, Mr. Gaskins was an active member of the communities in which he found himself and made significant contributions to those communities. In 1970 he helped found Benchmark School, an internationally recognized school for bright struggling readers. He served as the President of the Board of Directors at the school until his death. While in China, he was a founding member of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and served as the Executive Director and Member of the Board of Directors of that group. After his retirement, he served as the Chairman of the Environmental Commission in Upper Providence Township and as a member of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee. In addition, he was a Committee Person for the 3rd District in the Republican Party in Upper Providence.

Mr. Gaskins was also extremely active in the churches he attended. While a member of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church in Aston, he was a Sunday School Teacher and a member of the Administrative Board of the church. While a member of Lima United Methodist Church, he served as the President of the United Methodist Men’s Fellowship and he was a member of the Church Council and the Endowment Committee. In the summers, he attended Union Chapel By the Sea in Ocean City, N.J.

Mr. Gaskins loved to travel and ski and he found great joy in following the Phillies.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Irene; his sister Diana McLaughlin (who lives in Pocatello); his sons, Rick (who lives in Charlotte, N.C.) and Robb (who lives in Media, Pa.); and his seven grandchildren.

The memorial service was held on August 19, 2008 at Lima United Methodist Church, 209 N. Middletown Road, Lima.

 
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08/19/14 01:44 PM #1    

Larry Grimes (1958)

Dick was a neighbor of my aunt Dorothy Grimes in Montpelier and I knew him that way though I was a little boy.  In the early 70's I caught up with him when I attended a Villanova - U. of Idaho football game in Philadelphia and went to a party at his house.  Many years later I ran into him while visiting China as Counsel to Westinghouse, and the get togethers became more frequent after that.  I always admired him in the business we had together but wasn't aware of all the activities reflected in the obit.  He was a truly remarkable man whom I respected greatly.  He treated my wife and me to a dinner in Washington, DC on the last occasion we were together, not long before he passed away.  God bless you Dick.  You werely truly a tribute to your family and to MHS.  


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