ROCKLAND — Richard Winslow Sykes, 84, of Masonic Street, died suddenly July 5, 2013, at his home. Mr. Sykes was born in New York City Aug. 13, 1928, the son of the late Robert J. and Ruth G. (Lord) Sykes. He attended Storm King Preparatory School and graduated from Fordham University, class of 1954, with a degree in English.

Following college he served with the 2nd Armored Division in Germany as a first lieutenant.

In 1985 he published a book, Writing and Word Processing for Engineers and Scientists, and was working on a novel based on growing up in New York City.

He was employed for many years as a technical writer in the defense industry working at General Dynamics-Electric Boat Division in Groton, Conn. After relocating to Charlestown, Mass., he was employed with Northrop-Grumman in Norwood, Mass. Following retirement from Suffolk Law School the couple settled in Rockland in 1996.

Mr. Sykes is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anne M. Huot Sykes of Rockland; two sons, David Sykes and his wife, Laura, of Leominster, Mass., and Peter Sykes and his wife, Wendy, of San Marcos, Calif.; two daughters, Elizabeth Sykes of Himachai Pradesh, India, and Lisa Sykes of West Kingston, R.I.; and three grandchildren, Raymond Sykes of San Francisco, Calif., Melissa Sykes of Leominster, Mass., and Rebecca Sykes of San Marcos, Calif. He was predeceased by his oldest son, Richard W. Sykes Jr.; and a granddaughter, Colleen Sykes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, July 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 150 Broadway in Rockland. The Rev. Richard Malo will officiate. Private interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the St. Bernard Catholic Church Soup Kitchen, 7 Union St., Camden, ME 04843.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with Mr. Sykes' family, visit his Book of Memories online at Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins.