Richard Kent Elmblad, 80, of Fern Park,Florida passed away on Friday, June 5th. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut on January 14, 1935 to John and Josephine (Johanna) Elmblad. He is survived by his wife, Jo; his daughter Deborah Grant and son-in-law Randall Grant; his son Brian Elmblad; his stepchildren Susan Risner and Tom Harnish; his brother Jon Keith Elmblad and sister-in-law June; and grandson, Christopher Norman.

He was lured to Florida by the smell of orange blossoms in the air and a job offer at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) in April, 1959. Employed as a mechanical and design engineer, he worked on numerous aerospace and military programs before retiring in January, 1991. He was active in the community and played a leading role in creating the Fort Gatlin Park and Recreation Center in the Conway area in the 1963-1965 time frame. He always enjoyed outdoor activities including tennis and golf and after he retired, played senior men's slow pitch softball and participated in the Senior games in several different track and field events. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease approximately 15 years ago, he did his best to overcome its physically limiting symptoms as the years passed. Now he rests in peace.

Memorial donations can be made to the Parkinson's National Parkinson Foundation or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Center.