Richard J. Genova

Richard J. Genova, 93, formerly of the Poconos and New York City, passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at his home in Masonic Village, Elizabethtown with his loving family present. Born Sunday, February 19, 1928, in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Anthony “Tom” Genova and Angelina (Cordaro) Genova.  He was married to Karin E. (Stursberg) Genova on August 27, 1960 and celebrated his 61st year of marriage this year with her at Virginia Beach.

A Veteran of WWII, Richard proudly served in the U.S. Army. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal for his service in Japan. 

Richard subsequently matriculated and graduated from the City College of New York with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. 

Following his graduation, Richard joined the Army Corp of Engineers and spent two years above the Arctic Circle constructing the nation’s long distance radar program, “the Dew line”, which was developed to defend the United States against foreign attack or invasion.

Subsequently, he was engaged by the consulting engineering firm of Severud and Associates in New York City.  He remained there as a civil and structural engineer from August 21, 1951 for 45 years until his retirement in 1995. 

During his tenure there he helped build the infrastructure of the United States, especially the States of New York and New Jersey, and internationally throughout the world including public, transportation and power structures throughout South Africa, Lesotho, Iran and Nigeria.

Famous projects that can be attributed to his engineering skills and dedication included the Dallas Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Air Museum, portions of the Smithsonian Museum, multiple projects at the Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Richard engineered many projects for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey including projects at the World Trade Center, American Airlines and other multiple terminals at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark/Liberty Airports. He engineered the construction of the SUNY Potsdam campus, The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, the Christian Theological Seminary in Indiana, Sweeney Chapel and Christian Theological Seminary, Sarah Scaife Gallery at the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois, and many more.

Richard also engineered the construction of multiple health care institutions and hospitals in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.

Richard also assisted in the design and engineering of multiple aesthetically ground-breaking designs of individual homes and residences throughout the United States. While working with famous architects such as Edward Barnes, Ferrenz and Taylor, I.M. Pei, and others, Richard engineered commercial buildings throughout the US.

Travel to all parts of the globe, hiking, fishing and hunting were all part of Richard’s life-long passions. He supported and volunteered for the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance service for a dozen years, as an EMT, Secretary/Treasurer and assisted in the development, design and building of their new ambulance center. 

He also was a dedicated husband and loving father. In addition to his wife of over 61 years, he is survived by three children: Richard J. Genova, married to Wendy, of Canadensis, PA, Dr. Ronald T. Genova, married to Amber, of Mesa, AZ and Dr. Anita L. Behrens, married to Michael, of Jonestown, PA.  Also surviving are four grandchildren: Kristen, Matthew, Nicholas and Sofia, as well as Richard’s extended family and caring friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 4th, 2021 in Sell Chapel at Masonic Village, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA  17022 with the Reverend A. Preston Van Deursen officiating. Military Honors will begin the service on Saturday at 1 PM and the Memorial Service will follow.  Those attending are required to wear a mask/face covering.  A “Celebration of Life” at Richard and Karin’s home at 633 Garfield Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 will occur immediately the Memorial Service.  Private interment will be at the convenience of the family in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville later in the spring. Arrangements have been entrusted with the Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 North Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA  17022, 717-367-1543.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital www.stjude.org/givehope

Condolences and memories may be shared at: www.FinkenbinderFamily.com

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