Richard (Dick) Petticrew

He joined Owens-Illinois in Toledo, Ohio, in 1962, where he co-authored several articles. During his term at Owen-Illinois he worked extensively on lenses for telescopes and developed glass ceramics for cookware.  He authored and co-authored seven patents during this time.

In 1973 he joined Innotech, Inc., in Trumbull, Conn., as vice president of the Glass Division.

In 1977 Petticrew and his wife Beverley started their own business, Specialty Glass Inc., in Oldsmar, Fla. Through Specialty Glass he developed and patented 11 materials and processes to produce glass ceramic inserts for dental restorations and all-ceramic crowns. Forty-two years later they would have been proud to know the company is still a very successful small business supplying glass materials to companies around the globe. He retired in 1998.

He was also very active in The American Ceramic Society. He and his wife traveled the globe as ambassadors for the Society, and Petticrew was elected an ACerS Fellow in June 2005. Petticrew was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Oldsmar and the Oldsmar East Lake Rotary Club both in Oldsmar, Fla., and Waynesville Rotary club in Waynesville, N.C. He lived his life by the Rotary motto Service above Self and generously donated time and money to many wonderful projects.

In 2019, Petticrew was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, whom he loved and missed dearly. Surviving are his three children Colleen, Colette and Calvin, all of whom contributed to Specialty Glass. Colleen remains active in the company as president and CoO. Petticrew also leaves behind his son-in-law Dan and his daughter-in-law Robin along with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A Memorial and Social was held on Jan. 24, 2020, at Silver Dollar Golf Club where he resided with his wife and enjoyed days of Golf with Family and Friends and will be missed by all.