Richard Forbes

Richard E. Forbes, 83, died on August 1, 2012. He was born in Binghamton, New York on January 31, 1929. He was a long-time resident of Concord, husband, father, and grandfather. An Electrical Engineer, he was a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, MA and was considered to be a Pioneer in Computers and Design Automation. Mr. Forbes worked on the Mark I and Mark III Computers at Harvard University which were considered to be IBM’s first computers. Mr. Forbes’ work in Design Automation and Self-Diagnosable Computers has been considered key to the development of many computer technologies. Mr. Forbes had a distinguished professional career and for over 50 years he was a member of the Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers. He loved being with his family and friends. Mr. Forbes served in the US Marine Corp. and married P. Lorraine MacDonald in Boston, MA on May 14, 1948. They were married for over 64 years and were blessed to have three children and five grandchildren. Survivors include Lorraine who resides in Concord, NC; his children, Allan R. Forbes and his wife Mae B. Forbes of Charlotte, NC and his four grandchildren, Evelyn, Richard, William and Allan; Bruce K. Forbes and his wife Julia M. Forbes of Boston MA and his granddaughter Heather; and, Janice E. Jonas and her husband Harald Jonas of Charlotte, NC. On Saturday, August 18, 2012 the family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 AM at the Hartsell Funeral Home in Concord. A memorial service will be held in the Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 AM.