Sept. 1, 1938 – April 5, 2016

Richard “Dick” Clark Coffin passed away Tuesday, April 5 with his wife Margie at his side at Solheim Lutheran Home where he received loving care through the final stages of Alzheimer’s. He was 77.

Born in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 1, 1938 to Barrett and Judy Coffin, Dick had one brother named Rusty. Later, after moving to Fairfax, Virginia, Dick married his high school sweetheart Margie Bishopp in 1956. He attended the University of Florida where he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering. After graduating he went to work at The Applied Physics Lab at John Hopkins University.

In 1966, Dick moved his family to La Crescenta and began working at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena. He earned an MBA from USC, and a master’s in engineering management from UCLA. He worked at JPL for 42 fulfilling years retiring as deputy director of the Deep Space Network.

Dick challenged himself and others to be their best. He encouraged his sons in athletics, education, their vocations and in their marriages. He adored each of his grandchildren. He lived in awe of God and loved to take his family backpacking throughout the Sierras. He was an avid bike rider and when he was 50 rode his bike from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. with his friend Dave Kluth. He also enjoyed spending time with friends and family at Lake Arrowhead swimming, hiking, and boating.

He is survived by his loving wife, Margie; his three sons Rick (Ellen), Craig (Dana), Brian (Jane); his six grandchildren Amy (Joe), David, Logan, Bobby, Phoebe and Leah and his great-grandson Lincoln.

All donations in honor of Dick can be made to Solheim Lutheran Home.

“Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.” ~ Franz Peter Schubert