Richard Emil Ouellette

Richard E. (Dick) Ouellette, born December 8, 1930 in Billerica, Massachusetts to George A. Ouellette and V. Elizabeth Hedlund, Passed away July 11, 2025 in Colorado Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: George and Roy.

Dick graduated from Howe High School in Billerica in 1948. He joined the US Air Force after high school. After his service he studied at Northern Arizona University where he met and married Margaret. Later he received a Masters in Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

His first employment after graduation was teaching electronics and coaching baseball at Colorado Springs High School (Palmer HS). When Hewlett Packard opened their plant in Colorado Springs they recruited Dick. He was part of HP until he retired. During his tenure there he was involved in promoting diversity and civil rights within Hewlett Packard and the Colorado Springs community. He was involved in the Urban League where he served as local president.

After retirement Dick and Margaret joined the Peace Corps, serving one tour in Malawi. After that tour they were hired by CARE international, in which they served two years in Swaziland (Eswatini), and two years in Somalia and Kenya. There they worked to support small businesses and encouraged the education of children from the families they became friends with.

After their adventures in Africa, they enjoyed taking the long way home, and travelled the world.

Dick is survived by his wife Margaret A. (Fitzgerald) Ouellette of Colorado Springs, His daughter Anna Ouellette, her husband Richard Conrad, of Falcon, Colorado, and his son Mark R. Ouellette and his wife Patricia (Tulp) Ouellette, of Buena Vista, Colorado, and three step grandsons, Ryan Griffin his wife Lindy, Travis Griffin and his wife Cathi of Meriden, Connecticut, and Luke Griffin of Buena Vista, Colorado. These young men knew him affectionately as Papa Dick.

Dick and Margaret celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in May 2025.Among Dick’s hobbies and interests were hiking, fishing, skiing, hunting and especially maintaining his old cabin near Buena Vista.

He was well respected for his work teaching and helping people, and he leaves behind a legacy of friends and fishing buddies all over the world.

Services will be scheduled at a later date.