Washington, D.C. – Richard Upton Cogswell, Jr. died at the age of 81 on Sept. 19, 2025 in a hotel room at the end of his vacation in Istanbul, Turkey. He loved traveling all over the world and fulfilled his dreams of visiting so many countries in Europe and South America.
He was born in Concord, N.H. on Jan. 1, 1944, the son of Mary Gentzel Cogswell and Richard Upton Cogswell, Sr. He graduated from Simonds Free High School in 1961 and went on to the University of New Hampshire where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1965. From UNH he enrolled in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years and was stationed in the Philippines for a year during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he began his career in railroads in Chicago, Illinois.
From Chicago he went on to Washington, D.C., where he worked for the Federal Railroad Administration until his death. His love of railroads began in childhood and continued throughout his life.
Richard never married. He is survived by his two younger sisters, Mary and Nancy Cogswell, and nine cousins and their families.
There will be no service with only a private family burial. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
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