Richard James Kalagher

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard (Dick) James Kalagher, age 83, on January 8, 2025. He passed away peacefully at home in Hanover, PA, surrounded by his family. Born in Fitchburg, MA, on April 24, 1941, he was the oldest son of James Bernard and Hazel Woodward(Gay) Kalagher.

Dick is survived by Nadia Maria (Pyrih), his beloved wife with whom he shared over six decades of marriage, and his three children and their families: David Kalagher and his wife Melissa of Millsboro, DE; Susan Gonzales and her husband Edward of Hanover, PA; and Kathleen Evans and her husband John of Asheboro, NC. He also leaves behind six grandchildren (James, Annabelle, Daniel, Jennifer, Matthew, and Thomas), as well as four of his five brothers and their families.

Dick met the love of his life Nadia while working on his master’s and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania after completing his bachelor’s at Tufts University. Dick was a man whose passion for technology shaped both his career and his life. As a talented engineer, he spent decades working at The MITRE Corporation, where his problem-solving skills and innovative thinking made a lasting impact. He went back to work part-time 10 years after retiring to work with his son at LUMINTEL Corporation and TapHere Technology, writing graphical user interfaces for the United States Navy. He continued this until his early 80s, always having the drive to learn and apply new technology.

Outside of work, Dick loved to learn about new technology. Through his forays into ham radio, photography, and computers, to writing and selling an Atari computer video game in the 1980s, he remained captivated by the constant evolution of the digital world. He also enjoyed watching baseball and football. As a child, his father would take him to Boston Red Sox games, and he remained a lifelong fan. He also loved the Washington Commanders, but what truly defined Dick was his gentle nature and sense of humor. His kindness will leave an enduring impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him.The family was especially touched by his life-long friends, who loved and supported him through hospice, including the brothers of Phi Sigma Kapp Fraternity (KAPBCM) and ham radio buddy W1XX. Dick's legacy will live on in his family and all the lives he touched. He will be deeply missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Monday, January 13, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5125 Grandview Road, Hanover. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund ( https://ukrcatholic.org/offices-and-ministries/healing-of-wounds-of-the-war-in-ukraine-fund ); SOME, or So Others May Eat ( https://give.some.org/campaign/637397/donate ); or the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Company (3003 Baltimore Pike, Hanover, PA 17331).