Richard Welch, 68; founded steel company in Rockland

Mr. Welch grew up in Neponset and graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1958.

He attended Northeastern University, where he became interested in manufacturing while doing a co-op with electronics manufacturer Altronix.

In 1966, Mr. Welch married Virginia Lyons, whom he met in grammar school, and the couple moved to Hingham, where he lived for 40 years.

Mr. Welch cofounded Dyna-Fab Co. Inc., a steel manufacturer, in 1968.

In the mid-1990s, he successfully bought out his partners and became president of the company, before he sold it in 2001 and retired in 2003.

He was an avid boater and golfer, and since 2006 he and his wife split their time between their homes in Marco Island, Fla. and Chatham.

At the time of his death, Mr. Welch was on the board of directors at Father Bill’s Place, a Quincy charity.

Mr. Welch was a onetime member of South Shore Economic Development Corp. and served as president of the Precision Association.

He was also a member of Island Country Club in Marco Island, Thorny Lea Golf Club in Brockton, Wampatuck Golf Club in Canton, and the Woburn Elks, and he was a founding member of the Line Club in Neponset.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Welch leaves a son, Richard Jr. of Miami; two daughters, Joanne Turrell of Marco Island and Kathleen Taylor of Hingham; a sister, Rita Downey of Melrose; a brother, Thomas of Florida; and five grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. tomorrow in St. Paul Church in Hingham.

Burial will be in Hingham Cemetery.