Richard A. Guthman Jr.

Atlanta native Richard A. Guthman, age 80, passed away on Nov 22, 2014, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Margaret; son Richard A. “Rick” Guthman III and his wife, Libby; son William “Bill” Guthman and his wife, Cheryl; grandson Ethan Guthman; granddaughter Michal Guthman; son Dan Wall and his wife, Carol; niece Eileen Straw (Scott); niece Cheryl Rogers (Art); grand-nephew Randy Straw (Jenn), grand-nephew Charlie Rogers and grand-niece Maggie Rogers. He was predeceased by his father, Richard Aaron Guthman, Sr. and his mother, Katherine Spitz Guthman. Richard graduated from Grady High School, attended Cornell University for two years and then transferred to the Georgia Institute of Technology, graduating with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1956. At Tech, he was a member of the Alpha Pi Mu Honorary IE Fraternity, the ROTC and Rifle Team. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army for two years active duty and then six years of reserve duty. Richard began his career as a purchasing agent and manager for Montag Brothers in 1959. In 1969, he became the secretary/treasurer of Montag & Caldwell, a position he held until 1980. In 1982, Richard accepted a position as Senior Vice President of Government and Public Institutional Banking with First American Bank of Georgia, a position he held until he retired in 1991. In 1974, Richard began his political career when he was elected to the Atlanta City Council. He served just shy of four terms for a total of 14 years and during that time chaired committees of Finance, Public Safety and Public Transportation. He also served on the Public Works Commission. Richard’s dedication to Civic good is reflected in his record of public service. The list includes past member of the Board of the Appalachian Education and Historical Society; past chair of the Metro Atlanta YMCA Finance & Investment Committee; past president and member of the Advisory Board of the Visiting Nurse Health Systems of Metro Atlanta; past chair and member of the Board of the Home Health Council of National League of Nursing; past trustee of the Atlanta Historical Society; past member of the Board and Executive Committee of the National League of Cities; past Trustee of The Temple of Atlanta; past member of the Board of the American Jewish Committee; past chair of the Board of Zoo Atlanta; past advisor to Mayor Maynard Jackson on MARTA; two-term member of the Board of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. Richard and Margaret also served on the Advisory Board of the Georgia Tech Council for the Arts. In 1998, Richard founded the Margaret Guthman Keyboard Competition as a tribute to his wife, Margaret, under the auspices of the Georgia Tech School of Music. It initially was a jazz piano competition but in 2009, was restructured as the Margaret Guthman Musical Instrument Competition and today attracts innovative musicians from around the world. Services will be held on Tuesday, November 25, at 3:00 PM at the H.M. Patterson & Son – Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, Sandy Springs, GA. Reception to follow services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Temple of Atlanta or the Margaret Guthman Musical Instrument Competition at the Georgia Tech School of Music.