A house RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor Dr. Richard perry Pinckney, professor Emeritus at Lander University, and to express deepest appreciation for his broad expertise and selfless service to the Greenwood community.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the lifelong contributions that Dr. Richard Pinckney has made in and around the Greenwood community; and

 

Whereas, born in Charleston on December 3, 1947, he was the second child born to the late Lois Mehrtens Pinckney and Thomas Marion Pinckney, reared in a loving home with siblings Dr. Thomas Marion Pinckney Jr., Gail Laurens Pinckney Moore, and the late Charles Maitland Pinckney; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Pinckney graduated from St. Andrews High School in Charleston in 1965 and became the de facto secretary for his class reunions. A dedicated Boy Scout of America, he exemplified the sterling qualities of scouting, earning the prestigious Eagle Scout and the Pro Deo et Patria; and

 

Whereas, preparing for his life's work, he earned a bachelor's degree from The Citadel in 1969 and a master's degree and doctorate from Clemson University in 1970 and 1975 respectively. As computer science was a nascent field, he had to take an eclectic route to his career destination in systems engineering; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Pinckney taught systems engineering at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNCC) and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, before returning to South Carolina to teach business administration at Lander in 1980. He retired in 2000. With UNCC colleague Jack Evett, he coauthored an early textbook and manual on Fortran programming with applications to engineering. With Lander colleague David Dumont, he published the informative monthly Greenwood Business and Economic Report spanning three decades. He served as a computer consultant for Savannah Lakes Village in McCormick and other businesses headquartered in Greenwood. He was instrumental in helping Greenwood Genetic Center obtain computer imaging of the human gene, which numbers each gene and greatly assists the clinic to make medical diagnoses and treatment for genetic disorders; and

 

Whereas, a faithful member of Main Street United Methodist Church of Greenwood, Dr. Pinckney served the congregation by initially preparing the church services for radio broadcasts, and later by creating and maintaining the website for live streaming the services online. He selflessly served by troubleshooting any and all of the church's computer issues; and

 

Whereas, for many years under the auspices of AARP Tax Aid, he volunteered to prepare taxes for all those who sought his help, a time of year when many are anxious about preparing their own taxes; and

 

Whereas, together with his beloved wife of fifty-four years, Susan Callison Pinckney, he reared three special children: Matthew Perry Pinckney of Greenwood; Christopher Ryan Pinckney of Sudbury, Massachusetts; and the late Joy Allison Pinckney. Matthew and Ryan are both attorneys, and Joy was very special indeed. Born with Down Syndrome, she excelled at everything she did and was named the 2000 International Employee of the Year for Fazoli's restaurant chain. A proud grandfather, he was always available to entertain by building a zipline in the backyard or watching Frozen upon request for his four grandchildren and one step-grandchild: Vivi Joy, Richie, Benjamin, William, and Bernie; and

 

Whereas, after the birth of their daughter, Joy, Dr. Pinckney realized the computer could be used as a teaching tool to help her learn. He developed a Joy pad for their computer to enable Joy to use the computer more easily, a precursor to the joystick. He successfully marketed the Joy pad to special education classes around the State; and

 

Whereas, the House of Representatives values the dedicated contribution of citizens like Richard Pinckney who give generously of their time to their communities and to this great State. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Richard Perry Pinckney, professor emeritus at Lander University, and express deepest appreciation for his broad expertise and selfless service to the Greenwood community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Richard Perry Pinckney.

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