Richard John Miranda

Rick was born on November 9, 1948, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was lovingly adopted on Christmas Eve by Jerry and Ann Miranda. He was raised in Manhattan and Manhasset, New York, where he attended Saint Mary’s Elementary School in Manhasset and LaSalle Military Academy on Long Island. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Santa Fe, which launched an interesting and creative career.

Always drawn to stories and images, Rick’s professional journey took many memorable turns. He began as director of camp operations for an archaeological dig on the rim of the Grand Canyon and went on to co-found the small advertising agency Aardvarks in Santa Fe. In New York City he worked as an assistant cameraman before being hired by Bob Squire to work in political media. This opportunity led him to Washington, D.C., where he ultimately found his true calling as a director of photography.

He found deep satisfaction in hiring and mentoring his son, Damon, sharing work and wisdom. Rick’s lens captured the sweep of the human experience—from news and presidential campaigns to intimate documentaries on literary giants such as William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway. One of the great honors of his career was working with Jane Goodall in Gombe, Africa, on the Emmy winning and Academy Award–nominated film, Chimps So Like Us. Another documentary he worked on, Robert Richter’s School of the Americas, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short in 1995. Later, Rick brought his experience to the classroom, teaching “The Impact of Media on Politics” at the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership in the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy.

In retirement, Rick dedicated his time to serving others, volunteering for several years with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C. There, he supported their mission to care for the aged poor by assisting with donations and correspondence—a quiet testament to his generous character.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Heather Cave; his children Danielle Miranda of Albuquerque, Damon Miranda (Susan) of Alexandria, and Katherine Gannon (Alex) of Brooklyn; his sister Kimberly Grande (Ray) of Costa Rica; his brother David Wolfe (Daphne) of Norfolk; his sister-in-law Beverly Wolfe of Penndel; and his lifelong friend Georgette Schnitzer of Manhasset. Through DNA research he discovered three brothers—David, Kenneth, and Robert Wolfe—two of whom predeceased him. He is also remembered with love by his grandchildren Ashley Martinez, Dillon Miranda and Corrine Miranda, and by four great-grandchildren. He was devoted to his wife, his family, and their cherished fur babies, Melvin and Susu.

A true raconteur, Rick loved film, politics, cooking, and the simple pleasures of life: a mango popsicle, a lively conversation, and the chance to make people laugh. His irreverent wit, curiosity, tenderness, and gift for storytelling will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Charitable donations may be made to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County or the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C.