Armstrong, Richard “Ace”

ABC Network: Director.

Richard “Ace” Armstrong passed away on Sat Nov. 18th at 4:30am at his daughter Christina’s home and what became his residence in 2014 in CT.

A viewing will be at 8:00am on Friday, Nov 24th Followed by a mass at St Paul’s in Scranton, PA. Bishop John Dougherty will be officiating. A burial will follow at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.

Richard was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 12th, 1924, to Christine (Dougherty) Armstrong and John Armstrong. He attended The University of Scranton in 1943 but earned his bachelor’s degree in 1950 from The Catholic University of America. In 1952 he completed his post graduate degree from Catholic University.
He served in the Army between 1943-1946. On October 2nd, 1954, he married Carolyn Millet Jones.

Richard was employed by ABC News from 1962-1993 and had a successful career as a television director. He directed the Apollo 11 splashdown from the USS Hornet ship documenting the first US trip to the moon. He also covered The Iran Contra hearings, The Watergate Trial, many presidential debates, and other iconic events.

He was the recipient of the Silver Circle Award in 1995 for outstanding contribution to broadcasting and cable industry for over 25 years. His name is featured in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. He enjoyed his work and when he retired, David Brinkley gave him an on-air send-off.
He loved classical music, jazz and anything written by Shakespeare. He enjoyed his summers in Ocean City, MD with his family. His love for the Detroit Tigers carries on through his grandchildren and watching games with them and with his son, Robert, brought him immense joy.

Richard is survived by his beloved son, Robert and his two daughters, Jennifer Maher (spouse Kenneth Maher) and Christina Smith (spouse (Rudy Smith). He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Kendra Maher, Madeleine Rose Maher, Richard-Pierre Smith, Alexander Christian Smith, and Carolyn Collette “Coco” Smith. [1]

References:

1. Facebook post by Rudy Smith

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