Richard Parker Hight, Sr., of Northborough, MA and Cape Rosier, ME, died Thursday, January17, 2013 in Worcester at the UMASS Medical School Hospital as the result of complications from an illness. He was born in Winchester, MA on August 5, 1929, the son of Walter E Hight and Irene Parker MacRae. He is survived by his wife, Janice, and three children: Richard P Hight, Jr of Upton, MA, Judith S Hight of Cazenovia, NY, and William D Hight and his wife Abigail of Freeport, ME. His is also survived by four grandsons and five nieces. His brother, Wendall P Hight, predeceased him.

Dr. Hight was a graduate of Harvard College and Boston University. Dr. Hight retired from Norton Company where he was employed as an optical crystallographer. He was a fifty year member of the Mineralogical Society of America. He served in the Massachusetts National Guard where he was the CO of the 202 RCAT unit. He lectured and taught at various colleges and universities including Tufts College, Boston University, WPI and Clark University. He served the Town of Northborough as Chair of the Earth Removal Board for many years.

His interests included antique automobiles, model aircraft engines, and old tools. He loved Newfoundland dogs, the coast of Maine, and farming.

Calling hours are from 2-4 pm on Monday, January 21 at Hays Funeral Home on Route 20 in Northborough. Services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 22 at 10am. Burial will be private.

Contributions in his memory may be sent to the Newfoundland Club of America Health Challenge, 1004 State Rd. 76, Mt. Horeb WI, 48457, or the Northborough Food Pantry, 63 Main St, Northborough, MA 01532. For online condolences, please visit www.haysfuneralhome.com