Deceased Members–2009

In Memory of Richard H. Drake

Richard H. Drake, FSA, MAAA, passed away on July 28, 2009. He was born on Nov. 27, 1928 in Brockton, Massachusetts. Drake graduated from Memorial High School, Middleboro, Massachusetts, in June 1945 as class valedictorian. He then graduated from Yale University, cum laude, in February 1949, with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. Drake was elected to the honorary academic society, Phi Beta Kappa, and the honorary scientific society, Sigma Xi.

He worked at Prudential Insurance Company of American (now Prudential Financial) for 37 years. In later years, he worked mostly in the health care field. He was a vice president and associate actuary at the time of his retirement.

Drake was a fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, and received the Chartered Life Underwriter designation from The American College. During the Korean War, he served as an officer in the Navy (1951-1954) at the Naval Air Development Center in Johnsville, Pennsylvania. He has been a faithful and active member of Christ Episcopal Church since moving to Belleville in 1954 after his naval service. He was a warden for several years and served on the Executive Board for many years as well. Drake also held the post of church treasurer for 32 years.

He was a member of the Belleville Board of Education from 1959 to 1967, serving for a term as president. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America, as a cub master and as a member of the Executive Board of the former Essex Council from 1979 to 1992. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the Essex Council for distinguished service to youth.

He was an active member of the Belleville Chapter of the AARP, serving a term as president, and for a number of years as treasurer. In addition, he was a dedicated family historian and had been an active member of the Genealogy Club of the Passaic County Historical Society until recent years. Drake also was a member of the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Drake recovered from a heart attack in 1981 and was able to retire early at the age of 57 to enjoy a full and satisfying life of travel, theater, concerts and community life with his wife of 59 years, the former Marie Gervase. He had a particular interest in family history research, which he indulged both by his travel to family cemeteries and research libraries, and by exploration of computer databases.