Richard Paul Mied

Richard Paul Mied, Ph.D.

Richard Paul Mied of Severn, MD passed from this life to the next on July 16, 2022, in Anne Arundel County at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. He was 75 years old. Richard was born December 5, 1946, to Melvin & Marie Mied (Braatz) at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore MD. He grew up in Kingsville, MD, and was the oldest of two boys (Paul).

As a child, Richard was extremely curious about the world and the way things worked. While a young lad, he built a two-tube radio and picked up stations from as far as New York. Richard learned how to repair and rebuild his father’s lawnmower which would later translate into rebuilding vintage cars. He also enjoyed constructing and flying control-line model airplanes. Richard regularly told a story about knowing from age five exactly what he wanted to do with his life but didn’t know what it was called. That passion would come to be known to him as Physical Oceanography.

Richard knew as a young boy that the only way to do the science that he wanted was to study hard and stay focused. He quickly put away childish things and got quite serious about accomplishing his goals. Richard often cited the scripture, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) to his children and grandchildren.

Richard attended and graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1964. He deeply valued the education he received from Poly and often talked about his experiences there. Richard would repeatedly tell a story from the first day of classes in the A (advanced) Course when the professor said, “Look to the neighbors to your left, right, and in front of you. Only one of you will make it to graduation.” Richard looked around
resolutely and said to himself, “Man! I sure will miss these guys!”

Richard never looked back. After graduation, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Engineering Science from Johns Hopkins University in 1968 and continued to complete his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1972.

When he met Kay E. Hohman at a school dance, he was immediately drawn to her because instead of dancing, Kay was sitting in the lobby reading a newspaper. She was seemingly so out of place that he was curious to know more. On August 8, 1970, they were married. They were approaching their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Richard realized all his scientific dreams as he worked at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC for 48 years as a Fluid Dynamicist and Applied Mathematician in Oceanography. Even after 48 years, he was hesitant to retire because his profession gave him an in-depth glimpse at how the world works and he found that immensely satisfying.

Richard was drawn to the Galileo quote that said, “I give infinite thanks to God, who has been pleased to make me the first observer of marvelous things”. He was constantly in awe of water and the way it moved. Richard could be seen working a mathematical equation to explain water patterns on page after page of a large legal-size notepad with a mechanical pencil (that he always kept handy in his shirt pocket).

At the Naval Research Lab, Richard researched, curated, and prepared over 150 talks, seminars, and papers. Over 70 of those papers were published in scientific journals including the Journal of Geophysical Research & the Journal of Physical
Oceanography. Four of those were award winners.

Science wasn’t the end of Richard’s interests. He began collecting classic cars and added a ‘65 Corvette Stingray, ‘63 Jaguar E-type, ‘69 Jaguar E-type, ‘63 Triumph Spitfire, and an ‘89 Porsche 911 to his collection. He was a long-time member of the Free State Corvette Club, Porsche Club, and various others. For a period, he even traveled the Eastern Seaboard racing his vintage Spitfire.

Richard and Kay have two daughters. Heather Clark (Dan) of Springfield, MO, and Lynne Paulsen (Jeff) of Charleston, SC. They were the apple of his eye, and he loved spending time with them doing anything from rebuilding carburetors to running errands. It didn’t matter where they went, he just wanted to talk with them. As his daughters grew and had families of their own, he would visit and declare that he wanted a “relational
visit”! Hours were spent at the dining table, on walks, or in front of the fire.

But by far, the most important and captivating part of Richard’s life was his intimate relationship with Jesus. He was raised Roman Catholic but began to wonder, “Was there more?” Through conversations and an invitation from his carpool group, Richard
began attending Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International. That is where he met Jesus. His relationship with his Creator continued to grow as he was discipled at Heritage Community Church (HCC) in Severn, MD, and through his independent study of scripture. Richard knew that “[Jesus] is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but through [Him]” (John 14:6) As a result, he would pull away daily
and say, “I need to go spend some time with my Lord”. Many who knew him would ask in disbelief, “Have you memorized the whole Bible?!” His biblical knowledge was that extensive.

Over his three decades at HCC, Richard grew to teach Bible studies twice a week. He wrote and taught hundreds of topical studies for his classes. Richard was an Elder for over ten years.

Richard is survived by his brother Paul (Judy), wife, two daughters, and five grandchildren, Meghann, Daniel III, Zachary, Ainsley, and Christopher.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate his life with loved ones and friends at Heritage Community Church, 8146 Quarterfield Rd, Severn, MD 21144 on Saturday, August 20th. Visitation starting at 10 AM and the service beginning at 11 AM followed by a lunch reception.

In place of flowers, the family is asking all donations to be given in Richard’s name to the Heritage Community Church Scholarship Fund that Richard and Kay established for students committed to their higher education.