Richard James Hughes

Richard James Hughes, Obituary

Richard James Hughes, age 67, died October 2, 2012 in Ithaca, New York from complications of a recent heart attack. Known to his friends as "Rick," he was a devoted loving husband and father who always had a smile on his face and assisted anyone who was in need of his time. He was a resident of Ithaca for the past 27 years.

He was Born on March 7, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, Rick was raised in Rockford, Illinois and later in Baldwinsville, New York. He is predeceased by his parents, Reba Mae Stanton Hughes and Karl Edward Hughes, Sr.

Rick was a graduate of CW Baker High School in Baldwinsville, New York. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education and Physics from the State University College at Oswego, New York where he was a member of the Sigma Tau Chi Fraternity. He obtained a Master of Science in Teaching in Physics and Mathematics from Cornell University, where he was chosen to Kappa Mu Epsilon, a National Math Fraternity and obtained a Master of Science; Computer Science and Business Management degree from The State University of Binghamton, New York. He was a member of both the swimming and diving and tennis teams in high school and college.

Rick was employed as a system analyst at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration since 2000, having worked for IBM previously. He had been an adjunct faculty computer architect at the Watson School of Engineering, in Binghamton, New York. Rick was a certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management (CFPIM) as well as APICS along with more professional certifications.

Throughout his lifetime, Rick was an avid sports enthusiast. He taught canoeing, water safety instruction, and lifeguard training under the auspices of the American Red Cross, in Onondaga County, Broome County and Tompkins County; he had served on the New York State Service Council. He was also secretary for the Youth Hockey Association, also as the organization rep for the Midget Group , and lead the community service efforts. Rick had been a New York State Certified Swimming & Diving Official. He also volunteered his computer skills to assist his wife with the New York State Public High School Swimming & Diving, Lansing High School Swimming & Diving and Section 4 meets. He was a Vic Braden Tennis Academy graduate. Rick also won the Hudson River White Water Derby Solemn Event. In the community Rick served as President of the Board for the Ithaca Childcare Center in 1998.


Rick enjoyed taking annual trips to the tennis US Open and the Caribbean, watching the athletes in the community develop their skills, and family time especially, at Rocky Point.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Hicks-Hughes, their son Keenan James Hughes, his brother Karl Edward Hughes, Jr.; sister, Pamela Hughes Luis)del Pilar; brother-in-law Brian (Margaret) Hicks; sister-in-law Judith (Donald) Johnson; 10 nieces and nephews and 13grand nieces and nephews and 1 great grand niece.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Ithaca Youth Hockey Association or Hospice of Tompkins County.

Calling Hours 3:00 - 5:00 Saturday, October 6th, 2012 at Bangs Funeral Home and Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's Methodist Church Sunday, October 7th, 2012 at 2:30 to celebrate his life.