Rev. Robert Eugene Richmond

Thursday evening, April 16th, Rev. Robert E. Richmond passed away quietly alone in his apartment at the La Vida Assisted Living residence. Covid-19 restrictions prevented family members from joining him during his last hours.

Rev. Richmond was originally from Flushing, New York City. He attended undergraduate school at Queens College of the New York City University and successfully completed his theological training at Union Theological Seminary. He was ordained as a minister in 1963 in a ceremony at Riverside Church.

Socially and politically active, Rev. Richmond served all his congregations with deep, unwavering devotion finding ways to leverage the churches he served into service of the communities they were in. His largest achievement, the Nutrition and Health Center with its accompanying Meals On Wheels program begun in the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew on the upper West Side of Manhattan fed over 250 seniors who lived on minimal fixed incomes each day while providing social activities and a loving and energetic social and health program to hundreds, many with no family due to Holocaust tragedies.

He served as the Grand Chaplain of the New York State Masonic Lodge and was active in that organization for over 30 years.

Rev. Richmond is survived by his three children, Elizabeth Eden, Dr. Ronald Richmond and Evelyn Haegele and their spouses Daryl Eden, Lisa Richmond and Greg Haegele. Robert had 5 grandchildren including Lt. Jr. Grade Joshua Moss of the Coast Guard and his wife Lena, Evelyn and Christian Bolanos, Andrew Richmond and Jessica and Max Haegele.

There will be a service for Rev. Richmond’s children only. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Habitat for Humanity (contribution link below), a charity he and wife, Rose supported through the years.