Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc.
Richard A. Russo
Montvale – On December 30, 2021, this planet lost a true legend when Dr Richard A. Russo, 74, of Montvale NJ, passed away at his home, in the loving arms of his family.
Rich, affectionately known as “Doc”, “Shi Shi”, “Bop” and “Papa”, was born on September 17, 1947 in Clearwater, Florida to Ronald and Mary Russo. He attended St. Cecilia High School (Englewood, NJ) and then Fairleigh Dickinson University (Teaneck, NJ), which preceded a long and successful career as one of the state’s most beloved educators. . He spent over 30 years as a “very cool and fun” math and science teacher at Fieldstone Middle School in Montvale, New Jersey. During this time, Rich was also an assistant professor of astronomy at Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ. After retiring from college, he started a new adventure as director of teacher education at Ramapo. Rich also earned his doctorate in archaeoastronomy, which came from his worship of the Mayan universe and culture. Looking back on a career that spanned 7 decades, Rich retired in 2021 from Ramapo College.
Rich taught with incredible passion, humor, and his own personal life stories, deeply touching thousands of lives. But Rich’s true love was to be with his family, which included his wife, 4 children and 7 grandchildren. He lived to be with his family and he had a deep appreciation for every moment of his life. A true testament to the strong bonds this man made is that he maintained many of his childhood friendships throughout his life.
Like one of his heroes, Galileo would say, “curiosity is the key to problem solving”. It was Rich. He wanted to know, then he offered some great advice. He illuminated the room with his larger-than-life presence. His stories, his speeches, his toasts: he was the master of ceremonies. He always said it’s good to know a little bit more about a lot of things and how that makes a good story. He also liked to ride a bike, smoke a good cigar, laugh, read and visit his children in a contextual way (also known as “going around”). He loved the solar system, classical music and a good dinner. He hated gossip and Tom Hanks. Richard Russo is a light that will never go out.
Rich is survived by his beloved wife, Debby of Montvale, NJ, his daughter, Gina Lippman and her husband, Gary of River Edge, NJ, his son, Ron Russo and his wife, Nikki of Westwood, NJ, his son , Seth Queler and his wife, Linda of River Edge, NJ, his son, Evan Queler and his wife, Sonia of Park Ridge, NJ, and her 7 grandchildren, Ashley, Olivia, Nina, Jacob, Jaden, Marcus and Layla . The pupils of his eye. Rich is also survived by his sister, Claudia Dehayes and her husband, Tony of Ringwood, NJ, his brother-in-law, Lewis Wolstein and his wife, Patty of White Plains, NY, his sister-in-law, Marianne Neifeld and her husband, Gary from Rhinebeck, NY, and his sister-in-law, Abby Wolstein of Boynton Beach, FL, as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended family and loyal friends. He is also predeceased by his brother-in-law, Peter Wolstein.
Arrangements will be announced for an upcoming Celebration of Life, which will take place in spring 2022.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rich to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://www.pancan.org/ways-to-give/).
Online since 01 January 2022
Posted in Record and Herald News, Pascack Valley Community Life