Richard P. Duval Obituary

Richard Paul Duval, 92, resident of Durham since 1958, beloved husband of Harriet (Stevens) Duval, passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Middlesex Hospital. He was born January 13, 1932, in Hartford, son of the late Frederick Louis and Irene (Morin) Duval. Richard was a graduate of Middletown High School and later Chicago Technical College. 

He was a proud veteran serving three and a half years during the Korean War with the US Marine Corps. After making the Inchon Landing with the 5th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division on September 15, 1950, he was wounded in the street fighting in Seoul, and spent three months in the Yokosuka Naval Hospital in Japan. He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the VFW Post #10169.

Richard was a very creative and innovative design engineer for 45 years. He worked at Raymond Engineering in Middletown for 15 years, where he designed missile and space components, arming timing mechanisms, the Mercury Space Capsule Antenna 1 and inertial guidance systems. In the final 14 years of his career, he worked at Edwards Company in Farmington, a unit of General Signal Corporation, designing fire and security alarm systems and components. 

Richard was an active parishioner of Notre Dame Church. He was a member of the choir, taught religious education, and served as cantor and soloist. He was a former member of the Parish Council, a member of the Liturgy Committee, the Long-Range Planning Committee, Chairman of the Maintenance Committee, a tag sale worker, and member of the Golden Circle. Richard developed and worked on many projects for the church, including extending the choir loft, installing new florescent lighting in the church basement, building new window framing, and completely rebuilding the men’s restroom making it handicap accessible. Richard was a founding member of the Notre Dame Knights of Columbus Council #12289, served as Grand Knight for two years, and Trustee for seven years. He was a member of the Christopher Columbus Assembly #1858 Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree.

He was also a former member of the Durham Fair Association, where he held the offices of Superintendent of Insurance and Resident Director. He was a trustee of the Julia Bryant Memorial Music Fund. 

Richard is survived by his wife, Harriet Duval; daughter, Sandra Duval of Meriden; stepsons, Brian Russell and his significant other Virginia Raymond of Storrs, Duane Russell and his wife Denise of Portland, Bruce Russell and his wife Hope of Townsend, DE; step granddaughter, Kelley Russell Luzey and her husband, Ross, and their children, Luca and Amelia.

His Funeral Liturgy will be held on Wednesday (July 3rd) at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, 272 Main St., Durham. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Mica Hill Cemetery, Durham. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday (July 2nd) from 5 to 7 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St. Middletown. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to Notre Dame Church, 272 Main Street, Durham, CT  06422. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.