Richard C. Lindstrom

Worcester, MA – Richard C. Lindstrom, “Dick” “Dickie,” 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Lindstrom, and Roy’s wife, Catherine (Constantine). He leaves behind his longtime partner Alyse (Hoover) Aubin of Sutton, former spouse, Vesta (Helgesen) Lindstrom of Woodstock Ct with their son Bruce Lindstrom, wife Marsha of Vernon, Ct; daughter, Sandra Lindstrom of Lyndeborough, NH and daughter, Beth Lindstrom, husband Ray Murphy of Groton, Ma; former wife Joan (Angione) Lindstrom of Vernon, CT with son Darryl Larson, daughter Michelle (Lemieux) White, husband Rich White of Ijamsville, MD as well as seven grandchildren, Max Linstrom, Kevin Lindstrom, Cameron, Jacob and Cooper Murphy, Kaeleigh and Delaney White.

Dick was born in Worcester on May 3, 1933, the son of the late Albin M.E. Lindstrom and the late Lillian E. Eck. He attended the Quinsigamond Elementary School, Providence Junior High School, and South High School. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1955 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. While at WPI, he was president of his fraternity, PI ZETA of Lambda Chi Alpha.

Following graduation, Richard was hired as a Test Engineer for Pratt and Whitney aircraft in East Hartford, CT.

He married Vesta Helgesen, and they moved to Florida, where he was assigned to the Hydrogen program, where he developed the hydrogen fuel pump, the 304 SUNTAN / RL-10 still used in the RL10 engine today. In 1962, he developed the RL-10 Injector Thrust Chamber Assembly. Dr. Wernher Von Braun and his NASA Team observed this historic test of the first USA liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen injector/Thrust Chamber. The RL 10 is on display at the Aerospace Museum in Windsor Locks, CT.

In 1963, he moved back to Connecticut, where he put the RL10 total engine into production. Dick advanced at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, continuing his contributions to aerospace development by working on the F119 engine, a growth derivative of the F100. Richard became a VP at Bet Shemesh Engines in Tel Aviv, Israel, for a program to apply F100 and other engines to new and existing aircraft. An experience that made a lasting impression on his life.

After returning to the States, Richard spent a few more years in CT and retired from United Technologies as Vice President of Operations for the International Fuel Cells division in 1992.

He found his way back to Manchaug Pond in Sutton, MA, where he spent many summers as a young boy working at the YMCA camp. As a youth, he loved horses and worked at a stable to learn how to ride. He met Alyse by way of her horse and, in retirement, fulfilled his love of horse trail riding on his beloved horse, Homer, and the love of his youth, Alyse.

In his younger years, Richard loved to go bird hunting with his brother Roy and Roy’s hunting dogs, Chip and Tater.

Dick served for ten years on the Board of Directors of Waters Farm Preservation, Sutton, MA, as a Tourism Committee Member of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, and as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Sutton Housing Authority.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date and is in the care of the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St, Worcester, MA 01608.