| Richard "Dick"
Henry Rapp Dr. Richard Henry Rapp, age 83, Professor Emeritus
of The Ohio State University passed away at MUSC on Sunday, September
20th 2020 with his loving family by his side. He was born in
Danbury, Connecticut in 1937 to Sydney A. Rapp and Dorothea Cullinan
Rapp. He is survived by his college sweetheart of 55 years Patricia
Hallabrin Rapp, his sons Richard H.Rapp, Jr., Copper Mountain,
Colorado, Christopher M. Rapp and grandson Janzen Rapp, Pagosa
Springs Colorado. He is also survived by his brother, Sydney
A. Rapp, Jr. and wife Carol of Danbury, Connecticut and many
nieces and nephews. Dick and Pat lived for 35 years in Worthington,
Ohio while Dick was doing his teaching and research. Much of
their activity time was spent at Worthington Hills Country Club
where they were very active in tennis and platform tennis and
some golf with friends who remain cherished. They retired to
Hilton Head Island in 1999 where golf became one of Dick's major
activities. He was very involved at Dolphin Head Golf Club for
22 years where he served as president, historian, organizer and
leader of several golf groups. He played in and organized his
groups up to three weeks before his death. He also served on
the area's Course Rating Teams for many years. His travels during
his professional and retirement life have carried him over much
of this world from both poles, most continents, and many adventures.
World events have occurred during some of his travels such as
when he had to abandon a teaching seminar he was to give in Panama
because of the Manuel Noriega problems and a meeting in Europe
was interrupted to protect the Russian scientists when Russia
fell apart. He graduated from Danbury High School, got his B.S.
from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, his M.S. from The Ohio
State University and his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University
in 1964. He became a full professor in 1971. As a world renowned
gravity expert his Vita lists 19 pages of offices, publications,
awards, etc., but a few outstanding are the University Distinguished
Scholar Award in 1986, and the NASA Group Achievement Award to
TOPEX/POSEIDON Mission Design in 1993. The numerous research
grants he procured helped many of his Ph. D. and Post-Doctoral
students gain their degrees. One of his most satisfying rewards
since retirement has been keeping in touch with several of his
former students who have been successful in many different countries.
Dick Rapp was admired and loved by all who knew him and will
be greatly missed. Due to the Covid pandemic the family will
be holding a private service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests
that you donate in Dick's name to The Deep Well Project, P.O.
Box 5543 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938. Published by The Island Packet on Sep. 25, 2020 |