Richard "Dick" Vitali

Richard (Dick) Vitali, age 88 of Bel Air, Maryland passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, June 21, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease – a heartbreaking disease for such a brilliant mind. Richard was born on April 12, 1937, in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Elsie Danielson and Richard A.Vitali. He has one surviving sister, Valerie Henry, and was predeceased by his sister, Beverly Stutzman, both his parents, and a great-grandson, Andrew John Stockson.

Dick is survived by his loving and caring wife of 67 years, Anita Vitali, née Geoffroy. Like a true American fairy tale, he whisked his high school sweetheart away to be married on the 4th of July 1957, one day after Anita’s 18th birthday.

The epitome of success, he provided contributions that our country will benefit from for generations. A ballistics research physicist, he graduated from St. Lawrence University and attended Carnegie Mellon, MIT, and the University of Delaware. Beginning his career at Ballistic Research Laboratory he was instrumental in forming the Army Research Laboratory. He contributed greatly to the design of the M1 Abrams tank, the Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and many other of the scientific advancements the Army has built upon for years. Unable to serve in the military, he certainly devoted his life to this country. He was an extremely hard and devoted worker, a work ethic that he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He had the distinct honor of receiving awards and accolades from President Jimmy Carter, President Ronald Regan, and President George H.W. Bush. Richard and Anita even enjoyed tea with Queen Elizabeth II.

A world traveler, Dick devoted countless hours to his career, but no matter where he was his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren knew they had his love and support. His favorite destination was Hillsdale, NY where he enjoyed visiting his family home, The Long View, in the Catskill Mountains.

In addition to his wife, Anita, Dick is survived by: his three children, Cheryl (Steven) Gentry, Kim (John) Stockson, and Steven (Linda) Vitali; his eleven grandchildren, Mathew (Katie) Stockson, Christopher (Mary) Stockson, Richard Ryan Stockson, Sarah (Matthew) Pozda, Leslie Liberis, Elizabeth (Keith) White, Brian Seabolt, Lauren Seabolt, Lisa (Christopher) Blair, Katelyn (Robert) Marine, Kristen (Christopher) Panian; and his 16 great-grandchildren, Lydia, Anna and Matthew Pozda, Oliver and Johnny Liberis, Caleb and Bennett White, Ryleigh, Nicolas and Gavin Stockson, Abigayle and Quinn Stockson, Alexander and Liam Stockson, Logan Blair and Avery Marine, soon to add Hudson Panian.

Between the lines of his accolades and his progeny, you should know that Dick was the quickest of wits and a debater who loved to spar (in good fun, mostly) across the dinner table with his family. He enjoyed fine wine, cooking, and celebrating family traditions. As a sports enthusiast, he was an avid golfer and skier. In retirement, he spent hours cheering on his grandchildren. Dick was the type of person who expected the best of people. Tough at times, he truly believed people are capable of greatness.

Quite simply: Dick is the stuff that legends are made of and we all know that legends never die. Richard Vitali’s memory will live on for generations to come and create nothing but smiles, love, and pride in its path!