A memorial service is set for Thursday, August 25 at 2:30 p.m. MT at the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, for Richard Covell, the cable industry engineer and pioneer who died August 16 due to complications from lung cancer. He was 81.
Covell was instrumental in the transformation and evolution of the cable industry.
He was recognized by the SCTE for his vision and extraordinary efforts, and has been recognized for an array of accomplishments, accolades and honors. He was named a Cable TV Pioneer in 2002; an Emeritus Member of SCTE; a member of the SCTE Circle of Eagles; SCTE Member of the Year in 1990; and a 1998 Cable Hall of Fame inductee.
Covell also served as Director of the Rocky Mountain SCTE Chapter; National SCTE Director at Large; and Western Vice President, SCTE. He was also was a member of the Advisory Board of the Communications Technology magazine, and received the President Award for Outstanding Performance from Jerrold Communications.
Covell, who had a passion for photography, working out, chess, and motorcycles, was also an entrepreneur and inventor, and passionate about sharing his knowledge. He taught an electronics/instrumentation course at Penn Technical Institute; presented papers at NCTA and SCTE functions, provided training at SCTE chapter meetings; and wrote articles that were published in trade publications. He was also an educator, mentor and highly-requested presenter.
In January 1955, Covell enlisted in the Navy and was immediately deployed to the Korean War aboard the U.S.S. Wisconsin as Interior Communications, Third Class Petty Officer. He was honorably discharged two years later, remaining in the Reserves through 1961.
After high school, Covell worked for the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in electronics and resumed that job after the Navy. He attended the Newark College of Engineering in Newark, N.J., and later Seton Hall University in Newark while he worked.
