Richard M. Savage

Colonie Richard Miner Savage, 84, of Harvard Road, died Sunday at Child's Nursing Home Albany, after a brief illness. 

Born in Utica, he was son of the late Edward F. and Helen Miner Savage and husband for the past 56 years of Marion V. Coonley Savage. He had resided in Colonie since 1952.  He graduated from the Utica Free Academy in Utica and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.  While at RPI, he was a member of Delta Sigma Lambda fraternity and  a charter member of Lambda Chi Alpha, Epsilon Eta Zeta Chapter.

Following his graduation in 1940, he worked for Adirondack Steel in Watervliet and upon moving to Manchester, CT, he worked for Cheney Brothers, where he was involved in the beginning use of nylon cloth for parachutes. In November of 1942, he entered the US Army and was assigned to the Sixth Army Headquarters in the South Pacific, stationed in Brisbane, Australia; British and Dutch New Guinea and Leyte and Luzon in the Phillippines.  With the rank of Tech Sergeant, he retired  to the states after 2 1/2 years in the South Pacific.   After discharge, he accepted a position as a chemist with General Electric in the Silicone Products Division in Schenectady and later Waterford where he was employed for over 35 years, retiring in 1979.  He did early research on bouncing putty, 'Silly Putty' and was a holder of several patents. 

He was a longtime member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham where he was a former lay leader, church treasurer and served on the Church Finance Committee as well as a delegate to the United Methodist Church Conference.  He was a member of the Footlighters Theater Group of the church and the Triune Musical Company. Mr. Savage was a member of the Elfun Society, the Waterford GE Pioneers and the Quarter Century Club.  Active in Masonic circles, he was a 32nd Degree Mason and Past Master of the Apollo-King Solomon Masonic Lodge in Troy and a Past Master of Rose Croix Scottish Rite and Troy Delta Bodies.
     
Survivors in addition to his wife include a daughter, Carol S. Malone and husband Jack of Colonie; a son, Robert B. Savage of Latham; a granddaughter, Suzanne Leigh Malone of Colonie; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marjorie C. and William R. LaRose of Cazenovia; three nieces and a grand niece.  He was predeceased by an infant daughter Barbara Jeanne Savage.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2:00pm from Calvary United Methodist Church corner of Belle Avenue and Ridge Place in Latham with Rev. David Lockwood, Pastor, officiating. 

There will be no calling hours.

Interment Memory's Garden in Colonie. 

Contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Savage to the Calvary United Methodist Church memorial fund 15 Ridge Place Latham, NY 12110. 

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