Obituary for Richard Charles Julius Palson
Richard C. J. Palson died peacefully at his home by Medfield’s Charles River marsh on Saturday, April
17, 2021. He was 97 years old, a resident of the town for more than 65 years. Born in Gloucester, MA,
Dick was the 4th of 6 children born to Ruth (Eddy) and William C. Palson.
After living in Gloucester and Braintree, the family settled in Winchester where he graduated from high
school. He was accepted into the Massachusetts College of Art where he met the woman who would
become his wife, Barbara Chase. But his education was interrupted by World War II: Dick volunteered
for the Army Air Corps and became a fighter pilot in the 479th Fighter Group, 436th Fighter Squadron
stationed at Wattisham, England. His main duties were high altitude fighter escort to heavy bombers and strategic ground attacks from which he had recorded 10 aircraft kills in his P-51 Mustang. He flew many missions over German-occupied Europe, even volunteering to take other men’s missions because he so loved flying. He was honorably discharged in November 1945, achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. Dick continued as a member of the Air Force Reserve until June 1955.
When the war ended, Dick returned home to marry the love of his life, Barbara, and complete his
education. He graduated from Mass. Art with a diploma in Commercial and Industrial Art. After working
for Farrington and Mele Manufacturing, he became a free-lance industrial design consultant and inventor
who carried many patents and created several companies. Among many things, he designed an innovative
delivery system for a bronchodilator which allowed easily measurable amounts of asthma medication to
be administered.
Dick Palson was a man of many and varied interests. He was a duck hunter who made all his own decoys
and duck-boat; a fisherman, both salt and freshwater, who tied all his own flies. He enjoyed photography
and built a home darkroom where he developed and printed his photographs. Dick read widely on all
subjects, embraced changing technologies. He will be remembered for his generous spirit and “eternal
optimism” in the face of difficulty. He was a man rarely complained.
Dick is survived by two daughters, Lisa Priest of Millis, and Kirstin Palson of Medfield. He lost his wife
of 73 years, Barbara Chase, in 2019 and his daughter Tana in 2015. His sister Shirley Bagwell lives in
California.
He will also be missed by his grandson Garth Priest, wife Erin and daughter Uma-Jane of Virginia; by
granddaughter Britta Priest of New York City; and by granddaughter Tessa Priest Castellana, husband
Frank, and daughters Genevieve and Sienna of Long Island.
In lieu of flowers, the family is grateful for donations made to any charity that helps improve the lives of
children world-wide.
All are welcome to attend the memorial service and interment at Vine Lake Cemetery overlooking the
Charles River marsh on Monday, June 21 at 11 a.m.
17, 2021. He was 97 years old, a resident of the town for more than 65 years. Born in Gloucester, MA,
Dick was the 4th of 6 children born to Ruth (Eddy) and William C. Palson.
After living in Gloucester and Braintree, the family settled in Winchester where he graduated from high
school. He was accepted into the Massachusetts College of Art where he met the woman who would
become his wife, Barbara Chase. But his education was interrupted by World War II: Dick volunteered
for the Army Air Corps and became a fighter pilot in the 479th Fighter Group, 436th Fighter Squadron
stationed at Wattisham, England. His main duties were high altitude fighter escort to heavy bombers and strategic ground attacks from which he had recorded 10 aircraft kills in his P-51 Mustang. He flew many missions over German-occupied Europe, even volunteering to take other men’s missions because he so loved flying. He was honorably discharged in November 1945, achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. Dick continued as a member of the Air Force Reserve until June 1955.
When the war ended, Dick returned home to marry the love of his life, Barbara, and complete his
education. He graduated from Mass. Art with a diploma in Commercial and Industrial Art. After working
for Farrington and Mele Manufacturing, he became a free-lance industrial design consultant and inventor
who carried many patents and created several companies. Among many things, he designed an innovative
delivery system for a bronchodilator which allowed easily measurable amounts of asthma medication to
be administered.
Dick Palson was a man of many and varied interests. He was a duck hunter who made all his own decoys
and duck-boat; a fisherman, both salt and freshwater, who tied all his own flies. He enjoyed photography
and built a home darkroom where he developed and printed his photographs. Dick read widely on all
subjects, embraced changing technologies. He will be remembered for his generous spirit and “eternal
optimism” in the face of difficulty. He was a man rarely complained.
Dick is survived by two daughters, Lisa Priest of Millis, and Kirstin Palson of Medfield. He lost his wife
of 73 years, Barbara Chase, in 2019 and his daughter Tana in 2015. His sister Shirley Bagwell lives in
California.
He will also be missed by his grandson Garth Priest, wife Erin and daughter Uma-Jane of Virginia; by
granddaughter Britta Priest of New York City; and by granddaughter Tessa Priest Castellana, husband
Frank, and daughters Genevieve and Sienna of Long Island.
In lieu of flowers, the family is grateful for donations made to any charity that helps improve the lives of
children world-wide.
All are welcome to attend the memorial service and interment at Vine Lake Cemetery overlooking the
Charles River marsh on Monday, June 21 at 11 a.m.