HUDSON ACTON Dr. Clyde Richard "Dick" Desper, 83, formerly of Hudson, and of Acton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at the Charlton Manor Rest Home in Charlton, Mass, on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. Dick was born in Greenwood, Arkansas on December 14, 1937, the youngest of seven children to John and Eva (Kiger) Desper. He was raised in Taylorville, Illinois and even at an early age began to up excel at math and science. After his high school graduation Dick studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. Dick later received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While working on his doctorate degree, he met fellow chemistry student Beatrice Smith. They soon married and had five children. Dick later divorced and married Laura Taylor. Dick and Laura enjoyed 32 years of marriage together. Dick enjoyed a long retirement after spending his career working for the U.S. Army. After retiring, Dick joined Laura's real estate team, helping many clients in the Acton area and throughout Middlesex County . He enjoyed researching Shakespeare and participating in the Oxford Society, keeping up with world politics, trips to the beach, eating out, watching movies and spending time with his family and friends. He also was a member of the Acton Congregational Church. Dick enjoyed trivia and even tried out for Jeopardy. He was an avid football fan and loved his dog Buttons. Dick is survived by his wife Laura, five children, Betty Gohr, John Desper, Beatrice Desper, Rick Desper, and Scott Desper, and his three stepdaughters, Lorna Helms, Cheryl Cook, and Cindy Bahceli, one grandson, William; three granddaughters, Laura, Marissa, and Jennifer; and one great-grandson, Jackson. Dick is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Due to the current restrictions in place due to Covid-19, all current services for Dick are private, for the family. A memorial service will be planned for the summer of 2021, with time and location announced once determined. Please consider directing any memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's' Foundation, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 (alz.org) To leave a condolence or to share a story, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com. Arrangements were under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough, MA. All services are at this time private, for the family. Once current Covid-19 gathering restrictions have relaxed, Mr. Desper's family will announce plans for additional memorial services.