Richard Mark Golembeski, 84, formerly of Acton, MA, passed away surrounded by family on January 27, 2026 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on January 14, 1942, in Needham, Massachusetts, he was the son of Stanley and Sally (Olbrys) Golembeski.
Richard grew up in Needham and graduated from Needham High School before earning degrees from Wentworth Institute of Technology and Northeastern University. He proudly served in the United States Naval Reserves from 1961 to 1971 as a flight engineer aboard a P-2V Neptune aircraft, based out of South Weymouth Naval Air Station.
Professionally, Richard was an early pioneer in the technology sector. He was the seventh employee of Amicon Corporation (now Merck/Millipore), where he worked until 1980, before moving on to a rewarding career of more than 25 years with Digital Equipment Corporation.
Above all else, Richard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He shared 46 wonderful years with his late wife, Marilyn Needham Golembeski, with whom he built a life rooted in family, love, and adventure in Acton, MA. In later years, he was grateful to share his life and travels with his loving partner, Virginia Crocker of Bedford.
He is survived by his daughter, Karen Golembeski Gilmore (James), and his son, Richard M. Golembeski, Jr. (Stephanie), both of Richmond, Virginia. He was a proud and adoring grandfather to James Gilmore, Ned Gilmore, Emma Golembeski, Richard (Tripp) Golembeski III, and Powell Gilmore. He is also survived by his sister, Marcia Golembeski, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Richard lived life to its fullest from an early age—from youthful high jinks with friends in Needham Heights to trekking mountain ranges across the United States and Europe. His work took him around the globe, including extended travel to the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, and Taiwan. He shared that love of exploration with his family through cross-country road trips, visits to national parks, and unforgettable Caribbean vacations. In recent years, he was fortunate to continue traveling with Ginny, including journeys to the Camino de Santiago, Mont Blanc, France, Greece, and a cruise around South America.
An outdoorsman at heart, Richard loved hiking, backcountry camping, bird hunting, and fishing anywhere he could find water. He was equally committed to serving his community, volunteering as an on-call EMT with the Littleton Fire Department, supporting trail maintenance with the Appalachian Mountain Club, serving as an election worker for the town of Acton, helping combat invasive plants at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, assisting CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) in Bedford, and being an active member of First Parish in Bedford.
Richard will be remembered for his infectious sense of humor, boundless curiosity, and, most importantly, a deep gratitude for life and unwavering positivity. He had a rare gift for bringing people together and making those around him feel appreciated and at ease. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and in the family he loved so dearly.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, at 1:30 p.m. at First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 75 Great Road, Bedford, Massachusetts. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Richard’s memory to First Parish in Bedford, 75 Great Road, Bedford, MA 01730, or to the Wentworth Fund at Wentworth Institute of Technology, his alma mater, to support future generations of Wentworth students. Donors to either place may note “In memory of Richard Golembeski” when making their gift.
