Obituary of Richard Scott Chimera

Richard Scott Chimera

Richard Scott Chimera, 59, died peacefully on December 15, 2021 – at home, where he wanted to be.  Rick was born in Bethesda, MD on September 3, 1962, to Carmen and Kathy Chimera, at Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD.  He grew up in the Rockville, MD area and attended Lucy Barnsley ES, Earle B. Wood MS and graduated from Rockville HS in 1980.  Rick’s elementary school friends all stuck together and helped him in so many ways and are cherished by him and his family.

Rick attended Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA to study and receive a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, class of 1984.  At CMU, he met his lifelong friends who carried him through the last of his days.

Rick was employed by the University of Maryland, while attending Graduate School and received a Master of Science in Information Systems, class of 1997.

Rick had the privilege of traveling the world with his job, which fulfilled him in many ways, experiencing the beauty of the world.  He loved to golf – a natural athlete, as described by close friends.  He strived for perfection and humility in the best of ways.  Rick was a published authority on user-interface.  He enjoyed working at the Arizona State University, as an instructor of computer science.

Rick moved to Arizona in 1999 to work for JDA, software in Scottsdale, Arizona. There is where he met his future wife, Christine. Rick and Christine were married October 30, 2004, in Sedona, Arizona.  In January 2010, they moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland. Rick is survived by his wife of 17 years, Christine Lopez-Chimera and his loving son Joseph Carmen, siblings Dave (Roberta), Carol and Christine (Mark), his brother in law, Jorge (Diane), Ben and Bob, loving aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins.

Rick will be remembered for his laughter and warm smile, love of good times, his intelligence and wit. Rick loved a good political conversation along with a game of poker. He loved taking walks with his son Joseph. Rick was Joseph’s biggest fan.  Rick was always ready to give an answer to any questions there may be. He loved a good debate too. Football, baseball, Hockey and Golf along with Sci-fi and The History channel were permanent channels on the TV. Rick was old school, refusing to get on board with todays technology knowing he could suggest a better web design.  He found personal purpose in working with the PTAs at the local and Montgomery County levels. Rick loved his music especially The Grateful Dead. He could sit for hours listening to music.

Rick loved his annual trips to Ocean City, Maryland and strolling on the boardwalk with wife and son playing arcade games and reminiscing about his family trips to Ocean City. Rick was a simple man, he wanted a simple funeral, “Cremate me sweetie, keep it simple.” A Celebration of Rick’s life will be held in the spring of 2022 in Maryland. More information to come.   He had one final wish-for the zoom chats to continue!

Your free of all illness Rick, fly on, you will be missed my love.  We love you and will miss you.