Richard, a native of Dallas, died from complications related to Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, which had progressed rapidly in the last year. Born on October 2, 1938, in Dallas to Mary Cantrell Marcus and H. Stanley Marcus, Richard arrived a few minutes after his beloved late sister, Wendy, much to the surprise of their mother, who didn't realize she was carrying twins. The pair soon met their older sister Jerrie.
As the offspring of the president of Neiman Marcus, the three siblings enjoyed an extraordinary childhood, with meals punctuated by visits from celebrities and dignitaries. From tea with Eleanor Roosevelt as a young boy, to meeting designer Yves Saint Laurent on horseback at Dallas Love Field, Richard enjoyed sharing vibrant stories with family and friends.
An indelible memory was picking up Grace Kelly at the airport in a sports car when he was 18 years old to escort her to the family home for a dinner party. Richard grew up in Dallas, attending the St. Mark's School for Boys and Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire.
He graduated from Harvard College, earning a B.A. in East Asian Studies in 1960 and commencing a lifelong interest in international cultures and philosophies.
After college, he entered the Bloomingdale's training program in New York City. After Bloomingdale's, Richard rejoined Neiman Marcus in Dallas, starting as a junior buyer in the toy department and rising through the ranks. In 1979 he assumed the role of CEO and Chairman, and was loved and respected by store employees.
While he maintained a lower public profile than his exuberant and outspoken father, Richard was an accessible and fair-minded leader, with a steady hand and keen focus on maintaining the store's unique position as a luxury goods specialty store.
After departing Neiman Marcus in 1988, Richard continued to work for more than 30 years, serving on the public boards of Zale Corporation, Michaels Stores, and Lands' End, as well as numerous retail-oriented technology start-ups. From 1998 to 2020, Richard served as executive advisor to Peter J. Solomon, a boutique investment bank.
Throughout his life, Richard's great intellect and abundant curiosity propelled him into exciting new territories and relationships. He had a contagious enthusiasm for what he deemed new and special, often well before others jumped on the bandwagon. He was a self-described "tech geek of the highest order."
He had a gift for connecting ideas and people and made thoughtful introductions that sparked new friendships and promising business relationships. Richard also had an enduring passion for the arts and believed in the power of art to bring people together.
After moving to Austin in 2003, he and his wife, Susan, were active in The Contemporary Austin, where he served as Board Chair. Richard worked selflessly, joyfully and tirelessly in charting the direction and vision of the Museum and relished in engaging new voices in the work of The Contemporary. In 2022, he was named Trustee Emeritus.
He also guided substantial support towards the creation of the beautiful Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria in Austin, in honor of his favorite aunt and uncle.
He was an attentive and interested grandfather and relished in sharing the world with his grandchildren through stories and special adventures. And dogs. He loved dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Richard was predeceased by his twin, Wendy Marcus Raymont, of Washington D.C. He is survived by his wife, Susan Russell Marcus, of Dallas, whom he married in 1998; his sister, Jerrie Marcus Smith, of Dallas; daughter Catherine Marcus Rose and her husband, Will Rose, of Dallas; son Charles Marcus and his partner, Barbara Frisbie, of Austin; stepdaughter Cory Leahy and her husband, Kevin Leahy, of Austin; and stepdaughter Megan Russell, of San Antonio; grandchildren, Sofia Lodato, and Alex, Charlie and Jack Rose; and many dear nieces and nephews. His sweet and only slightly misbehaving dogs Luna and Annie are a part of the pack as well.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in his name be made to either The Contemporary Austin or Breakthrough Central Texas.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 pm at The Contemporary Austin-Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th Street, Austin, Texas 78703.
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