Dr. Richard Neil Wolman

Dr. Richard Neil Wolman died peacefully on July 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida, surrounded by his loving family. He was 86 years old.

Richard was born in April 1940, in Columbus, Ohio, to Mildred Baron Wolman and Jack Wolman. He grew up in Columbus with his two siblings, older brother Baron and younger sister Susan. Richard, known then as “Dicky,” delivered newspapers every day before sunrise, and once shot a hole-in-one on April Fool’s Day.

Richard graduated from Brandeis University in 1962, where he studied Philosophy, and later earned his PhD in Psychology from The Ohio State University. In November 1964, Richard spotted Peggy Wolman, née Lash, on an airplane, and insisted on sitting next to her. They fell in love and were married the next year in Belmont, Massachusetts.

The Wolmans lived in Madison, Wisconsin for seven years, where Richard served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin. Richard and Peggy’s two oldest children were born in Madison. When Richard was asked to be the Clinical Supervisor of psychologists, psychiatric residents, and social workers at the Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he and Peggy moved to the Boston area, settling just a few miles from where Peggy had grown up.

Throughout his career as a clinical psychologist, Richard provided invaluable therapy to hundreds of patients. Some of his most rewarding work was helping families, and children in particular, navigate the difficulties of divorce. He also served as a thoughtful and caring mediator and guardian ad litem, representing children's best interests during contentious separation disputes. In addition to his work as a therapist, Richard found great satisfaction in teaching. A clinical faculty member at Harvard Medical School for more than 40 years, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses across a wide range of university programs and departments.

Over nearly half a century living in New England, Richard became a loyal supporter of the local sports teams, yet he always considered himself a Buckeye at heart. Richard was an avid reader and devoted member of his book club. He also loved symphony, opera, Broadway, golf, racket sports, holidays with family, Scrabble, and music ranging from Dvořák to Dylan.

Above all, Richard was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of 61 years; children Joshua, Sarah, David, and Daniel; sister, Susan Wolman; and ten wonderful grandchildren aged 6 to 26: Naomi, Daria, Vivian, Miles, Spencer, Jack, Graham, Hannah, Lily, and Sam.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, and will be livestreamed at https://www.levinelive.com/richardwolman

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston: www.dana-farber.org