Obituary of Richard Lee Lane

Lane, Richard Lee (Dick) Well-known local jazz pianist, award-winning engineer, RIT Professor of Microelectronics, and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother, Dick died peacefully at his Penfield home on August 30, 2014, after a long illness. The longtime leader of Touch of Brass Sacred Jazz Ensemble and member of many other area bands is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen (Lacy) Lane, and their four children: Karen (David Woodworth) Lane of Piffard, NY; Nancy (Mark Obbie) Lane of Canandaigua, NY; David (Diane) Lane of E. Bloomfield, NY; Judith (Daniel Hauben) Lane of Bronx, NY; five grandchildren (Jeremy, David, and Jessica Liverman; Raema Rotindo and Dale Obbie); sisters Janice Montondo and Sharon Manuele; and many dear friends. Predeceased by his parents, Lee and Caroline (Jewell) Lane, and by his eldest grandson, Leonard Smith. Dick was born March 11, 1935, and raised in Franklinville, NY. After graduating with a Ph.D. in ceramic engineering from Alfred University, Dick moved to his home on Penfield Center Road in Penfield NY to work at Xerox. He then spent many years as Director of Corporate Technology at Kayex Corporation (formerly Hamco), before joining the faculty of Rochester Institute of Technology. At RIT, Dick was a distinguished professor in the Department of Microelectronic Engineering from 1985-2000. Throughout his engineering career he developed several patents, published numerous research papers, and was the recipient of four awards from NASA. Upon retirement he stayed at RIT for a year serving as Associate Dean. In 2001 he was bestowed the honor of Professor Emeritus. Dick and Helen were longtime members and volunteers at West Webster United Methodist Church (now New Life United Methodist), where Dick served as organist for many years, council chairman, head of trustees and choir member. Besides his family and his faith, Dick's first love was music — specifically the piano, and jazz. He put himself through college playing gigs on weekends, and in his busy retirement years he played for Penfield Rotary Band, several area combos, and also arranged the music and played for Touch of Brass. Dick loved nothing more than to sit down at a keyboard and share his musical gift with others. He was a caring, compassionate man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Memorial calling hours: Sunday, September 21, 2014 at 3PM in the fellowship hall of the New Life United Methodist Church, 570 Ridge Road, West Webster. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the sanctuary at 5PM, followed by a light meal. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Pluta Cancer Center, or New Life United Methodist Church.