It is with deep sadness that the Boston Patent Law Association announces the passing of one of their long-standing members and leaders, Richard “Dick” Wise, who passed away on April 28, 2018. He was 91.

Dick was the President of the BPLA from 1972-1973 and served the association well President-Elect Deirdre Sanders of Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds remarked, “Dick was a great friend and always took time to mentor our young attorneys. He will be dearly missed by me and by many others at our firm.”

Dick was born in New York City, and had lived in Dover for the past 42 years. He graduated from Brown University and Boston University Law School During WWII, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After leaving the service, Dick was patent counsel for United Shoe Machine Co., and then served as patent and trademark counsel for Gillette Co. before becoming of counsel to Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds until his retirement at age 75. Among the many key patents that Dick obtained during his illustrious career, he prosecuted the patent that covered the flip-top can.

Former BPLA President (1993-1994) John DuPré, President and Principal at Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds, also shared his memories about Dick. “Dick was a mentor for virtually all of the young attorneys who joined our firm for nearly twenty years. He was generous with his time and his advice and would help anyone in any way that was needed. Not only was Dick one of the best mechanical arts prosecutors in the Boston area, he was a pleasure to work with on contested matters, including litigation involving patents he obtained for his valued clients.”

Dick was the beloved husband for 42 years of Geraldine (Callahan) Wise and father of the late Andrew Douglas Wise. His funeral service will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 18 Springdale Rd Dover, followed by interment with Military Honors in Highland Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be in the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Thursday at 4:00-7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Andrew Douglas Wise Memorial Fund c/o Records & Gifts Processing, Memorial Hall, UMass Amherst, 134 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003, and the memo should list “Andrew Douglas Wise Memorial Fund.” Donations may also be made online at