Donald Richard Cruise

Donald Richard "Dick" Cruise of Ridgecrest, California passed away on July 2, 2019, at the age of eighty-five surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Los Angeles to Richard and Stella (Goff) Cruise, Dick was raised in Fresno, graduated Fresno State in 1956 and married Marjorie Risko in St. Mary's Church in Whittier on June 19, 1965.

Dick was a mathematician, chemist, and computer scientist involved with many projects at Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake from 1956 to 1989.  He authored or coauthored twenty-four scientific papers on physics, chemistry and thermodynamics; Dick's final work was a collaboration with his grandson, Owen Cruise, on electromagnetic theory, and was published in June 2019.  He also wrote the book Abolish the Absurdities, published in 2007. Dick was known as a cast member in all of the community-loved Backyard Players theater productions created by his friend, Steve Lee.  He enjoyed playing musical instruments, learning languages, and dancing with Marj. Dick was an honorable and humble man who loved his family, enjoyed a good joke and volunteered continuously at his church and at several schools, tutoring children in math and science.

Dick is survived by wife Marjorie Cruise, daughter Elizabeth Clerrico, son Richard Cruise, sisters Mary Cruise and Donna Cruise Ransom, and brother Michael (Melissa) Cruise.  Dick adored his grandchildren Mathew Clerrico, Megan Clerrico, Mitchell Clerrico, Owen Cruise, and Kamryn Cruise and enjoyed his many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father Richard Cruise, mother Stella Cruise, and sister Patricia Cruise.

A memorial service will be held at St. Anne's Church in Ridgecrest, California on Tuesday, July 30, at 10:00 following a rosary at 9:30.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dick's name to St. Anne's school, the National Parkinson's Foundation, or a charity of your choice.