Richard J. Weinacht, 85, of Bethany Beach, Del., and Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community, West Grove, Pa., passed away after a long illness on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Weinacht received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in civil engineering from Columbia University. Following a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, Weinacht returned to academic studies and received a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Maryland. A National Science Foundation post-doctoral appointment at New York University preceded his 45-year career at the University of Delaware, Department of Mathematical Sciences, from which he formally retired as professor. During his career, Weinacht also engaged in scholarly pursuits internationally with sabbaticals at the Technische Universität Darmstadt in Germany and the University of Rome and the University of Florence, Italy. Post-retirement, he continued to be active in research and teaching as an Emeritus Professor. His research interests focused on partial differential equations, especially those arising in continuum mechanics. Weinacht had a passion for teaching, particularly in the areas of differential equations, calculus and applied mathematics.
A long-time resident of Newark, Del., Weinacht was an avid sailor, racing, cruising and fishing on the Chesapeake and Rehoboth bays. A life-long basketball player, Weinacht was a regular at noontime pick-up basketball games at the UD Carpenter Sports Building playing into his 80s.
Weinacht is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Bernice; children, Paul Weinacht and wife, Janette, John Weinacht and wife, Amy, Karen Ruben and husband, Richard, Richard Weinacht, Joseph Weinacht and wife, Jody, and Judith Weinacht; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc., 250 W. State Street, Kennett Square, Pa. The Mass of Christian burial is Friday, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m., starting with visitation at 10 a.m. at Assumption BVM Catholic Church, 300 State Road, West Grove, Pa. Interment will be held privately at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear Del.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Department of Mathematical Sciences, c/o the UD Development Office, Development and Alumni Relations Gifts Receiving and Processing Office; 83 East Main St., 3rd Floor; Newark, DE 19716.
Condolences may be sent online at www.griecocares.com.