Beverly...
Richard D Henken, age 87, husband of the late Marguerite (Ruane) Henken, died suddenly on Christmas Day December 25th, 2010 in Beverly Hospital.

Born in Salem, one of ten children, he was the son of the late George P. and Emily (Miller) Henken. Richard "Dick" or "Dickie" Henken was educated in Salem schools including Salem High school, until moving to Beverly where he graduated from Beverly High School in the class of 1942.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving his country from 1943 to 1946 while stationed in Burma and North Africa. As another member of "The Greatest Generation", he devoted his life to his family, friends, freedoms and liberties, that so many gave their lives to protect.

After completion of his service, he moved his family to Oakland California to pursue his work interests and education until returning to Massachusetts in 1959 where he was employed as the Associate Patent Agent at Sylvania Electric until 1986. He also continued to expand on his education in Business,Technical Writing, Engineering Electronic Drawing, and Art.

In his retirement, along with his life-long love of playing golf with his friends and his son, Richard also joined the Explorers, where he developed his new passion of Creative Writing and making new friends.

He was not an outspoken man, yet one could not find a more devoted and proud family man and friend. He was caring and compassionate, unselfish to a fault, and always eager to lighten a burden or induce a smile with a joke. His family and friend's have been inspired and will be forever touched by his presence in their lives.

Mr.Henken is survived by his son Peter D. Henken of Beverly, his sisters-in-law Irene (Ruane) Jefferis of Marblehead, Doris (Ruane) Gibbons of Pinnellas Park Fl., Jenette (Ruane) Kenniff of New Jersey, Helena Ruane of Salem Ma. and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother George Henken and eight sisters; Adelaide Cormier, Priscilla White, Lucielle Childs, Dorothea Brown, Mary Newton, Georgiana Doherty, and Mildred and Emily Henken.

Visitation will take place at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St.(corner of North St.) Salem, on Saturday January 8, 2011 from 9:30 A.M.-10:30 A.M. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. A short service will follow. Internment will be private. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Fisher House Boston, P.O.Box 230 South Walpole, Ma.02071 or visit FisherHouseBoston.org (to help the families of wounded soldiers) For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com