Richard H. Imus' Obituary
Richard “Dick” H. Imus, 84, of Ocean View, DE passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at his residence in Bethany Bay, with his wife and his faithful dog "Shorty" by his side. He was born May 19, 1926 in Berlin Township, Michigan, son of the late Henry Alfred Imus and Ruth Isabel (Lerkins) Imus.
Mr. Imus enlisted in the Navy in World War II, where he served as a 3rd Class Radarman on the USS Boxer in the Pacific theatre, then returned to join the Naval Reserve. He attended Dartmouth College (Class of '50) and graduated from the University of New Hampshire, with a degree in Psychology. While attending college, he met his lovely wife Betty-Jean (Cooke) Imus at the Hanover Inn, where they both worked to pay for school. They were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1948 by Betty-Jean’s father, Edwin T. Cooke. Dick then spent his entire career with the Office of Naval Research as a Special Assistant for International Programs. In this position, he was afforded the opportunity to travel the world, supporting scientific research. He was an avid sailor, skier, a naturalist, and was thrilled caring for countless generations of feeder birds. After he retired to Bethany Bay, multiple generations of ducks came to his doorstep for their evening meal, and taught their young to do the same. “Papa” was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and companion to his childhood dog, Patsy and his constant partner for the last eight years, Shorty.
Mr. Imus is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty-Jean (Cooke) Imus; daughter, Ski and husband Bill Bennof of Herald Harbor, MD; son, Mark Imus and wife Laura of Mill Valley, CA; granddaughter, Courtney Bennof of Millersville, MD; grandson, Jake Bennof of Herald Harbor, MD; great granddaughter Kaelyn Jett of Millersville, MD and Shorty, his Corgie. He had many, many friends across the globe, most recently in Delaware, where he was known as “the Mayor” of Bethany Bay. He will be greatly missed by all - neighbors, friends, and his furred or feathered companions. He was truly a happy, friendly, genuine and trustworthy man. He had provided for a final Happy Hour for invitees to celebrate his life.
All services will be private and will include scattering at sea. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ocean View, DE.
Memorial contributions may be made to WWII Memorial Bus Trips, Kingsway Engineering, 1331 State Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108 or the American Battlefield Memorial Commission, Courthouse Plaza II, Suite 500, 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3367.
Please sign online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
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