In March, Rich Davies passed away Davies, born on August 14, 1947 in Orange, New Jersey, to Harold and Elizabeth Davies, was a long-standing supporter of AFCEA and was affiliated with the chapter for more than 15 years. In the last nine years, he served as the chapter vice president for outreach. He also held the position of chapter Web master and continually provided vital chapter information as well as general Silicon Valley technology information to chapter members on the site.
As an active member of the local aerospace community, Davies kept the chapter apprised of area activities regarding companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and Boeing. From 2006 to 2007, Davies was a pivotal driver for the chapter's first Counter Intelligence Conference. It was his idea to bring members of government and industry together to learn more about counterintelligence activities, which take place regularly in the area. Davies was always engaged with the chapter activities, and as recently as October 2011, he received a Meritorious Certificate of Appreciation and an AFCEA Challenge Coin for all his contributions to the association. The members of the Northern California region and members of the chapter will miss his enthusiasm for AFCEA and his warm and friendly manner.
Davies graduated from Northrop Institute of Technology in 1968 with a bachelor's degree and the California Institute of Technology with a master's degree in 1972. He was an aeronautical engineer and a rocket scientist. He also owned and operated a small pet shop called Critters in Soquel, California, with his wife Patricia for several years in the 1980's and always kept many pets at home.
Davies achieved a notable record of volunteerism in the public interest. In 1999, he founded the Western Disaster Center (WDC), a nonprofit, applied research center, which centered on saving lives and reducing economic loss from all types of disasters. Through his work at WDC, he interacted with the FBI, the San Francisco Bay Area InfraGard, the FBI Citizens Academy and the Earthquake Clearing House, among others. In 2000, he submitted his InfraGard application and volunteered to sit on the Organizing Committee for what was to become the San Francisco Bay Area InfraGard chapter.
Davies is survived by his sister-in-law, Tracy Davies of Upland, California, nephews Ryan and Scott Davies of South Carolina, and his ex-wife and lifelong friend Patricia Davies of Felton, California. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Hal. |
