Richard Huysie

Richard Huysie, on March 5, 2025, age 83, of Mt. Ephraim, NJ. Dear son of the late Richard and Cecilia Huysie.

Upon graduating from Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Rick entered Jordan Seminary. After one year he left after determining that he did not have a vocation to the Priesthood.

After working at the County Psychiatric Hospital and Cherry Hill Hospital, Richard studied for the medical laboratory at Cooper Hospital. Shortly after graduating he joined the US Air Force. He retired from the US Air Force after 30 years as a Chief Master Sergeant. During his career, he served at more than a dozen bases. He is a Vietnam Veteran stationed in the clinic at Ubom Royal Thai AFB 8TAC Fighter Wing.

He passed the By Pass Specialist test for the laboratory field and was accepted into the laboratory field, starting as a bench technician and later advancing to Laboratory Manager. He was accepted into Cytopathology school reading slides for the cancerous and premalignant conditions. He served in a Research position as Chief of Laboratory Operations in the Chemical Defense branch at the US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.

As he progressed in rank and experience, Rick had other interesting jobs outside of the laboratory. These included: Facility Manager, clinic RAF Alconbury Drug Screen Monitor RAF Alconbury, Chief of Laboratory Operations for Research/Development, Chemical Defense Branch at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine at Brook AFB, TX, Chief of the Medical Exercise Evaluation Team at Carswell AFB (includes planning and evaluating medical aspects of all base exercises).

Through studying and effort, Richard earned Professional Certifications, including a registered Medical Laboratory Technologist through the American Medical Technologists. He was instrumental in reestablishing the New Jersey Society of American Medical Technologists. He was also registered as a Cytotechnologist through the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

He earned a BS Degree in Industrial Technology through Southern University of Illinois and a MA in Management through Webster University. He was also a member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

After retiring from the Air Force, he returned to New Jersey and served as Secretary and Vice President of the New Jersey State Society of the American Medical Technologists. He was an active member and served as Treasurer for the South Jersey/ Delaware Valley Chapter of Industrial Engineers.

Richard also remained active by volunteering as an advocate in the Office of the Omsbudsman for the Long Term Care in New Jersey by visiting nursing homes and speaking with the residents and reporting any problems to the facility and the State. His primary function was to look for abuse, exploitation and neglect.

He was always active, interested in photography, classic cars and gardening. He also enjoyed a cold beer. Survived by his feline friend Danny.

Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral Mass on Friday morning, March 14th at 10:00AM at St. Joachim Parish, Annunciation BVM R.C. Church, 601 W. Browning Road, Bellmawr, NJ 08031. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing, NJ. Arrangements by MARK C. TILGHMAN FUNERAL HOME, Maple Shade, NJ