Amherst, VA- Richard T. Egan, 87, entered into eternal life on Monday, January 26, 2009 at the Hunterdon Care Center in Raritan Township. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to his late parents, Richard T. and Marie (Morgan) Egan, Sr., he lived in Basking Ridge along with various states throughout the country before settling to Amherst, Virginia ten years ago.

In 1945, Richard was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant from the United States Air Force having faithfully served his country during World War II. He joined the Air Corps. in 1939 and flew 80 combat missions, having been a member of a bomber crew in both the Pacific and European Theaters of operation.

Richard took great pride in being a licensed professional engineer in the State of New Jersey, having been awarded seven patents in the environmental field. He was employed as a manager of product engineering with Research Cottrell in Bridgewater for many years and later retired from Munters Corporation in Fort Myers, FL as an environment engineer after many years of dedication. He was a former member of the Somerville Elks.

After retirement, Richard enjoyed being creative "tinkering" around in his woodshop. He shared the many birdhouses and Christmas figurines, he made with love, with family and friends. In his later years, he grew very fond of penguins, having acquired quite a collection of them.

Richard leaves behind his beloved wife of 46 years Ruth Sebring (Miller) Egan with whom he joined hands in marriage on April 14, 1962; his eight loving children, three daughters and sons-in-law: Diane Jenkins of Whitehouse Station, Nancy M. and Walt Mathewson, Jr. of Hillsborough, Karen Ann and Jack Zalewski of Neshanic Station; five sons and daughters-in-law: Richard B. and Jean Egan of San Jose, CA, James D. and Susan Egan of Albany, NY, Thomas W. and Julie Egan of New Berlin, WI, Michael J. and Termina Egan of Yigo, Guam and Arthur T. and Jennifer Collins of Amherst, VA; his dear siblings, sister Doris H. and husband Edward Galvin of Boca Raton, FL and brother Donald J. Egan of Key Biscayne, FL. He will be deeply missed by his adored sixteen grandchildren and eleven precious great grandchildren. As Richard was recently welcomed into God's world his twelfth great grandchild was welcomed into our world on January 28, 2009. Richard is also survived by two special daughters-in-law, Carolyn Egan of Austin, TX and Cheryl Collins of Raritan. He also leaves behind the nurses and aides at Hunterdon Care Center who unconditionally loved and cared for Richard during his final months.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009 beginning 10:15am at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 followed by an 11:00am funeral liturgy at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Three Bridges. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at the funeral home on Friday, January 30, 2009 from 7-9pm, and on Saturday from 9:30am until service time. Richard will be laid to rest in the family plot at Neshanic Cemetery in Hillsborough.