Richard E. "Dick" Macfarlane

Ashland- Dick Macfarlane died peacefully on January 3 from a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He so often assured his family that 'everything will be fine'. And now for Dick . . . everything is fine.

Richard A. Macfarlane was born October 11, 1946 in Waltham, a son of the late Elton C. and Grace L. (Johnson) Macfarlane. Raised and educated in Waltham he was a graduate of Waltham High School with the class of 1965 and later earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology from Northeastern University.

Early on in his life he met Linda A. Welch at First Congregational Church in Waltham. They shared a mutual birthday and on January 3, 1970 they exchanged wedding vows and married at the church that brought them together. Forty-eight years to the day later, Linda gently clutched his hand as he passed from this life to the next.

They lived in Waltham before moving to Natick in 1972. Thirty-five years later they moved to Middleborough and then to Ashland in 2012.

Dick was a talented woodworker and was active in his children's activities and athletics including coaching soccer and basketball teams for both. Sharing precious moments that created a lifetime of memories defined Dick's life. Every summer brought with it the adventure of a cross-country trip living out of a pop-up camper. Dinner was always followed by a board game or a game of cards. Waltham's Piety Corner Club hosted delightful nights out where Dick and Linda enjoyed ballroom dancing. And every trip to Ogunquit, Maine included a stroll along the Marginal Way.

Dick worked his entire career as a chemist for Clinical Science Labs in Mansfield before retiring in 2014.

In addition to his wife of forty-right years, Linda, he leaves their children, Brian R. Macfarlane of Marshfield and Jennifer L. Brenneman and her husband, Matthew, of Natick; his grandchildren, Jack Macfarlane and Cameron, Madelyn and Tyson Brenneman; his brother, Rev. Robert B. Macfarlane and his wife, Diana, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dick's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rt. 20) Waltham, on Tuesday, January 9th from 4 to 7 p.m. His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning, January 10th in First Church Natick, 2 East Central Street, Natick. Rev. Victoria Guest will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorials in Dick's name may be made to Alzheimer's Research, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.