Richard Clifford Gavalis, age 83, of Union Dale, PA., died Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Regional Hospital, Scranton, PA. His wife is the former Matilda Equinozzi. Born in West Scranton, PA., he was the son of the late John and Nellie Gavalis. He was a 1947 graduate of West Scranton High School. After receiving a Navy scholarship, he graduated top of his class at Penn State University in 1951. Richard was skilled in numerous professions. After graduating college he traveled the Unithed States and Canada building air-space programs for several firms. At General Electric in Valley Forge, PA. he worked on re-entry design for the space program. Later, as an entrepreneur, he built businesses in the Security and Telecommunication industries, while also establishing a Christmas tree farm to fund his sons' college educations. Richard always had a love of flight serving in the Civil Air Patrol and graduating Penn State with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He worked for Boeing, Aerojet, AVRO, Vertol and General Electric. Richard earned his own pilot's license at the age of 49. He was an avid radio control modeler and later in life returned to his true passion of aeronautical engineering serving as a special consultant on the Osprey Project at Boeing. He loved his family, modeling airplanes, fishing, hors d'oeuvres by the lake with dingo, snowball and snowflake and especially skiing. Richard even conceived and patented his own ski design. Richard was a loving, committed and light hearted husband and father who will be deeply missed by all of his family and those who were fortunate to have known him. He is survived by two sons: Richard and Erick; one sister Dorothy Antosh. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM in Ascension Parish, St. Joseph's Church, 741 Delaware Street, Forest City, PA., celebrated by Rev. Patrick L. Albert, pastor. Friends called Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 10:30 - 11:00 AM at the church. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to the Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Clifford, PA. Mass 11:00 am Saturday, March 9, 2013 Ascension Parish, St. Joseph's Church, Forest City, PA 741 Delaware Street Forest City, Pennsylvania, United States