Richard Thomas Bulova

Richard Thomas “Dick” Bulova, a longtime resident of Fairfax, VA and Tampa, FL, died on December 29th in Tampa at the age of 87. Mr. Bulova was born in 1938 and grew up in Syracuse, N.Y. Following an enlistment in the Army, he graduated as a Physics major from Syracuse University in 1962 and received an ROTC commission in the Infantry. After completing a second active-duty tour, he moved to the Washington, D.C. area. He was employed by the Department of the Army as a project engineer in research and development specializing in night vision and countersurveillance. He saw service in Viet Nam. Remaining active in the Army Reserves, he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was appointed to the Army Acquisition Corps and retired as a GS-14 in 1994.

Mr. Bulova was an avid volunteer of his skills and experience. In area high schools, he was a Physics teacher’s aide, guest lecturer, and science fair judge. He served as a youth catechist in his church, an Ombudsman at an assisted living home, an Officer of Election, and a Marriage Celebrant, performing hundreds of weddings throughout northern Virginia. His many leisure activities included bowling, sailing, hiking, photography, winemaking, and marksmanship. He enjoyed travel and toured much of the U.S. and the world. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Izaak Walton League, the American Legion, and several Learning in Retirement programs. He wintered in Tampa for many years before making it his permanent residence with his second wife, Ann-Lis Wiberg.

Previously Mr. Bulova was married for 31 years to Sharon Bulova, former Fairfax County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He is survived by two children – David Bulova of Fairfax, VA and Karin Johansson of Seattle, WA – and five grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited gather to remember Richard. A memorial will be held at 10:30am on February 21st at the Holy Spirit Old Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, FL. The funeral will be at 11am on April 13th at the historic St. Mary of Sorrows church in Fairfax Station, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Richard’s memory to the charity organization “Doctors Without Borders”.