R. Blake Ireland, 95-years young, died peacefully on December 19th, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.

The middle of three children, Blake was born in Newburyport MA in 1929 to Roy and Alta (Tarleton) Ireland, and grew up in Dover NH. He graduated from Governor Dummer Academy in 1947, and was proud to be one of the “Dummer” boys. He went on to Dartmouth College, where he was a member of Kappa Kappa Kappa. One magical summer in New Hampshire he met his future bride Anne Loeb. After graduating in 1951 with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, he joined the Navy where he served as an officer on the USS Fitch during the Korean War. He spoke often and fondly of his service to his country. He said the US Navy grounded him in leadership skills he doubted he could have learned as well anywhere else. While the call of the sea was strong it was no match for his love for his beloved Anne. They married in July 1955 in Philadelphia, PA— henceforth referred to as “the tropics” by Blake’s dyed-in-the-wool New Englander father.

Shortly after their honeymoon Blake and Anne settled in Lexington, MA where they raised three children: Leigh Anne, Susan Leslie, and Roy Blake III “Chip”.

Blake started his professional career with Systems Development Corporation (SDC). By 1969, Blake’s talents led to his assignment as head of SDC’s MIT/Apollo Project and as manager of Lexington Space Projects. His team developed aspects of the all-important software for the Apollo on-board computer—the one-cubic-foot machine that made it possible for the three astronauts to guide and navigate their craft to the moon and back. He watched the proof-of-concept of his efforts with his family, gathered around their black and white television on the evening of July 21, 1969.

Blake’s software and leadership skills at SDC did not go unnoticed. In 1977, Raytheon Corporation, long-known for its computer hardware excellence, hired him to start its software division. He first came to the company’s attention when SDC sub-contracted on Raytheon’s L-Band Phased Array Radar (LPAR) project, known as Cobra Dane, on the Aleutian Island of Shemya. The radar was built for the primary mission of intelligence gathering in support of verification of the SALT II arms limitation treaty. Cobra Dane still operates today under US Space Force detecting and tracking foreign ballistic missile events, monitoring satellites and space debris, and supporting space domain awareness. Blake retired in 2008 at the tender age of 79.

Blake was by no means all work and no play. He and Anne shared a love of travel that took them numerous times to ski slopes in the Alps, the vineyards of France, the sandy beaches of the Caribbean Islands, and the wilds of Africa. At least a dozen photo safaris in Africa captured their attention until Anne’s passing in 2017. Each trip meant countless amazing photos and entertaining tales of animal sightings. Elephants, zebras and lions were amongst their favorites. In later years Blake would bring a small book of their Africa photos and a bottle of wine to neighborhood gatherings as he enjoyed sharing two of his passions.

Blake also enjoyed sharing his knowledge and abilities with his children. In no particular order he taught them to snow ski, water ski, ice skate, sail, and drive a stick. The latter provided him with great merriment as each stalled clutch elicited a chuckle or two followed by encouragement to try again. His New Hampshire accent occasionally left them perplexed. He often told them they were full of “malahkey” and only years later did his children learn that the word, indeed, has an “r” in it. Blake passed on his dry sense of humor and love for puns, along with an appreciation for red wine. In later years his daughters enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles with him. As the going got tough he invariably would brand the puzzle a “stinker” and vow that pieces were missing. Of course, it all came together in the end. Every now and then his daughters catch themselves saying some of his oft-used phrases, especially, “yup, yup, yup” and “I’ve already told you more than I know”, showing he is still close in their hearts.

Everyone who met Blake walked away with a smile on their face. He was principled and serious when it mattered, but playful, generous, and kind. Even into his 90’s he shoveled neighbor’s driveways, hauling out his trusty snow-blower every winter.

Everything was more fun with him. Heaven will be too, as he greets Jesus, his bride of 62 years Anne, and his son Chip.

He is survived by his daughters Leigh Anne Nietling (John) and S. Leslie Ireland (George Smith). Leigh Anne and Leslie honored Blake’s desire to spend his final years at home. They could not have done so without the love and care of friends and several neighbors. They filled his tummy with tasty treats and encouraged his soul by listening to his many wonderful stories about his life.

Blake and Anne will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

We thank the Lord for you, Dad. You will not be forgotten.

Arrangements entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.