Obituary of Richard Haley Ector

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Richard Haley Ector was a loving and beloved son, brother, husband, father, and friend. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Rick is survived by his wife Beth (née Roelfsema); children, Emily, Sam, and Charlotte; sister Helen; and brother Robert. He is preceded in death by parents Hugh and Dorothy Ector (Haley and Dottie).

Rick was born on September 13, 1949 in West Point, Georgia. As a child, he enjoyed dressing up as a Georgia Tech football player like his dad, jumping off benches while pretending to be Superman, and having fun with cousins Johnny and Jack. Rick was baptized at West Point First Methodist Church. From West Point, Rick’s family moved to Atlanta before settling in Greenville, South Carolina. While at Greenville High School, Rick earned Eagle Scout honors and played on the high school baseball team. Rick also foreshadowed his future as an engineer by excelling at building model ships and airplanes. 

Rick earned a B.S. in math at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971. The Naval Academy also introduced Rick to his love of lacrosse and sailing. As a commissioned officer, Rick graduated from the Naval Nuclear Propulsion training program and served as the chief engineer aboard the USS Shark, a fast attack submarine. Rick then worked in the civilian nuclear energy sector in Chattanooga, Tennessee before returning to public service. Rick served the federal government for several years, where he met his wife Beth. They had postings in Germany and Austria. In 1998, Rick founded TVIG, an engineering firm that builds large-scale wind turbine and solar panel farms globally.

Rick loved coaching lacrosse and studying history. While honoring his father, who flew P-39 Airacobras during World War II, Rick joined the Peachtree City Commemorative Air Force. There, he commentated on air shows and fulfilled his dream of flying B-22 dive bombers and P-51 Mustangs. He also ushered at Church throughout his life, and in retirement, volunteered in many roles at Dranesville United Methodist Church.

Rick will be remembered for his strength (he once scaled his and Beth’s townhouse when accidentally locked out to open a second-story window and retrieve a spare key); his intelligence (his favorite book was The History of World War II by Winston Churchill - all six volumes); his sense of humor (he told some great Dad jokes); and his service to God, his country, and others.