Aug 1, 2002 12:00 PM

Richard “Dick” DeMello, 59, died June 25 at his home in Portland, Mich. The cause of death was cancer. DeMello is survived by his wife, Julia; four children; and eight grandchildren.

“I don't know of anyone who was more dedicated to the cause of public safety communications than Dick,” said Harlin R. McEwen, chairman of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Communications and Technology Committee.

Patricia Coates, second vice president, Michigan Chapter of Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, said that, although many public safety responders probably did not know of him, “Dick's efforts to ensure effective communications on their behalf made their jobs safer and made safer all the citizens of Michigan that they serve.”

A registered professional engineer, DeMello was born in Massachusetts and moved to Michigan in 1968. He worked for the state government for 32 years, retiring in April 2000 from the Telecommunications Division of the Department of Natural Resources.

He was a director-at-large for the Forestry-Conservation Communications Association.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media, Inc.