Richard "Dick" W. Lehtinen, 84, of Merrimack, NH, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at his home. He was born in Pittsfield, MA on August 10, 1936 to the late Wilho Armas and Toini Hanhilammi Lehtinen. He graduated from Pittsfield High School, MA,  Wentworth College, Boston, MA and Northeastern University, Boston, MA where he received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Dick enjoyed a long and successful career as an electrical engineer and was last employed by General Electric Security, Lynn, MA.

Friends and family will fondly remember Dick for his kind heart and love of laughter. Whether out on the golf course, rooting for his favorite New England sports team, walking his beloved dogs or enjoying his woodworking hobbies or snapping a picture of a view or friend, Dick had an infectious smile and warm embrace. He loved a good joke but could barely finish "without messing up" the punchline! He would only respond with a shrug!

Dick was a proud man and especially proud of the successes of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and always looked forward to getting a telephone call to hear what they were doing. He inherited his grandmother's fondness for the Finnish bread, nisu, served warm with butter. Because she lived with the family he spoke only Finnish in the home until he entered the first grade. After all these years, Dick still remembered some Finnish phrases.

Later when he moved to New Hampshire he would enjoy "summer treks" to the coast of Maine for a lobster dinner and a glass of wine out on the deck watching the boats come in. This became an annual vacation and many times family members would also visit for the week -- first starting with tent camping and later renting a cottage overlooking Muscongus Bay.

In addition to Dick's wide range of interests, he was an active member of the Merrimack Lions Club for 19 years in which he received the highest award in Lionism, the Melvin Jones. He served as president and treasurer as well as chairperson of many club's activities. However, one of his favorite projects was working with a "team" to cut and assemble the scarecrow "T-frames" for the Merrimack Scarecrows Fundraiser for Diabetes. Over the years, hundreds of frames were sold and raised over $7,000. He not only enjoyed the friendship of the members but he was proud of the club's support of the community.

He will be forever loved and remembered by his wife, Michele (Mercer) Lehtinen, sons Gary Lehtinen of Burlington, MA and Brian Lehtinen and his wife, Karen, of Peru, MA, grandchildren, Kelsey and Lindsey Lehtinen, and Michael Morcus, great granddaughter Kaylyn Cormier, sister, Gail and her husband Steve Dery, niece Heather Tate and nephew Craig Dery, sister-in-law Barbara Hindklev and niece Trine Hindklev. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Wendy Morcos, of Burlington, MA.

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic services or a celebration will be held at a later date. Service information will be updated on the Rivet Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc, Merrimack website once they are confirmed.

For those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Dick's memory, you may do so to the American Diabetes Association.