Richard Albert Wahl's Obituary
Wahl, Richard, Albert, age 99, of Clearwater, Florida passed away peacefully on 4/14/2012 at Countryside Mease Hospital. He was born on 9/23/1912 in Laramie, Wyoming to his parents, the late Wilhelm and Anna (Perleberg) Wahl.
Richard was the youngest of four raised on the Wahl Ranch south of Laramie. In the early 1930's he was a wing walker at the Wyoming Country Fairs on his brother Fred's bi-plane. The brothers were known for playing at the dance hall in Laramie. Richard attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1934. He married Nellie (Vandel) in Mitchell, Nebraska and they had one child, a son Tim. After graduation he joined the Patent Office in Washington DC, During WWII he served in the Navy as a Lt. Commander. Upon completion of the war he rejoined the patent office. He was a longtime resident of McLean, Virginia and employed by the United States Patent Office as Assistant Commissioner of Patents for 38 years. Richard attained the highest position: Superintendent of the Examining Corps. He was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Patents by Presidents Johnson and Nixon and served as US Representation on several international commissions for patent systems. For his service to the Department of Commerce, Mr. Wahl was awarded the coveted Silver and Gold Medals. For three years Richard served as the President of the World Patent Association. He received the "Distinguished Alumni Award" in 1975 from University of Wyoming Alumni Association. And was one of the original six inducted into the first class of the College of Engineering Hall of Fame at the University of Wyoming. After retirement from the Patent Office in 1973 he served as expert witness in Federal Court Patent Litigation and was employed by the United Nations in 1974.
Mr. Wahl moved to Florida in 1975 where he enjoyed playing his trombone, fishing, traveling, but most of all giving and helping others.
Richard will be remembered by his son Tim and his wife Rhona who reside in Clearwater, Florida; and grandson Brent Wahl. He was predeceased by his wife Nellie, his brothers, Fred and Walter Wahl, and his sister, Emma Wahl Rice.
Family will receive friends at Memorial Park Funeral Home: 5750 - 49th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 on Thursday April 19, 2012 from 1pm until 3pm. A celebration of his life will be held at the funeral home at 3pm on Thursday. Interment with military honors will follow immediately after at Memorial Park Cemetery. A reception will follow at Community of Christ Church located at 7085 - 62nd Way North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781.
What’s your fondest memory of Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Richard?
Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Richard make you smile?