Richard "Dick" E. Beaupre, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 25, 2018. Dick was the son of the late Edmund Beaupre and Doris Plant Beaupre. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Barbara Swanson Beaupre, his three sons, Richard M., Dr. Stephen R., David P. and his daughter in-law Robin, as well as his five grandchildren, Tyler, Amanda, Laura, Joshua and Jeremy. He was the brother of James and the late Walter and late Kenneth Beaupre. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He honorably served in the Navy from 1956 to 1958. He earned a BS degree in chemistry in 1962 from the University of Rhode Island. He worked as a research chemist at Rohm and Haas and Hunt Chemical from 1962 to 1968. From 1968 to 1976 he worked for Dynachem Corporation as a research director where he developed and patented many revolutionary processes with dry film photo resist polymers. In 1976 he co-founded ChemArt Company with his wife Barbara, a global leader in the manufacturing of photo etched metal ornaments, jewelry and industrial components. One of their proudest accomplishments is designing and manufacturing the annual White House Christmas ornament.

Dick was an active and generous URI alumnus. In 2006 he earned an honorary doctorate from the University of Rhode Island. In 2016 the University dedicated the new chemistry building, the Richard E. Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences, in honor of his generous philanthropic contributions to the university. 

He served as an active board member for the URI Foundation. He also established two scholarships; the Beaupre Family Scholarship which provides financial assistance to Rhode Island students who wish to return to school and are married, single with children under the age of 18, as well as the Hope and Heritage Foundation.

Dick had many interests and hobbies. He was an honorary board member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic because of his love for classical music. He was a generous contributor to many charities. He was also an avid sailor and golfer. He owned, raised and showed King Charles Cavaliers throughout his life, all of which he loved and took great pride in. He was a hobbyist who built and collected model trains and planes. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and loyal employees.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, March 29, from the W. Raymond Watson Funeral Home, 350 Willett Ave., Riverside at 8:45 a.m. with a Funeral Liturgy in St. Brendan Church, Turner Avenue, Riverside at 10 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. 

Calling hours are Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Contributions in Richard’s memory to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 964 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 would be deeply appreciated.