The Columbia Paper 2025, March 20

CHATHAM—Robert Osborne Richardson died February 21, 2025.

“Bob” was born December 20, 1938 to Frank A. and Catherine Osborne Richardson of Rockville Centre, Pulaski, Hillsdale and Kinderhook. He graduated from Roeliff Jansen Central School, Hamilton College, and received his master’s degree and PhD in English literature from Cornell University.

He taught for many years at the University of Bridgeport, Lehigh University, Howard University and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. In later years, he was an editor for the Professional Development Program at SUNY’s Rockefeller College.

In 1979 he started a reading group in Chatham which lasted for 40 years. During those years, the group read and discussed approximately 350 books.

He was a mentor in the Chatham Middle School for 15 years, and a volunteer teacher’s aide at Greenport Elementary

School. He played Santa for a number of community organizations and was avid collector of toy trains.

He leaves: Cynthia, his adoring and adored wife of 62 years; his son, Seth and daughter-in-law Molly Herron of Chicago; his daughter, Sophie and son-in-law Peter Sainsbury of Takoma Park, MD, and three wonderful grandsons, Benjamin, Lincoln, and Osborn.

His family thanks the doctors and nurses of Community Hospice and the Eddy, and the aides of Hour Solutions for the wonderful care they took of him in his last years. Special gratitude and affection go to Dr. Carol Curran, Jane Knoll, Gary Prebble, Keith Turk, and last but far from least, Dawn Scheriff.

His family will celebrate his life privately. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com.