Richard A. Nininger

after the death of his father, Richard spent a short year in Ft. Lauderdale with family before moving to Connecticut

where he continued his education at The Taft School in Watertown. Richard went on to attend Yale University to study

Architecture, graduating in 1951. A course in Greek Studies piqued his fascination in Greek culture, history, and

architecture, a passion that sent him traveling to Europe and East Asia in subsequent years.

Richard was drafted into the Marine Corps where he served from 1951 to 1953. After boot camp at Paris Island and

school at Fort Belvoir, Richard was assigned to the Second Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, during which time he

was sent to embarkation school followed by assignments with NATO Special Forces planning military operations in the

Mediterranean and the Caribbean. As in all of his life’s endeavors, Richard served his country with honor and

distinction.

In the fall of 1954, Richard returned to Yale School of Architecture to earn his Master’s Degree. After graduating in

1957, he sailed for Europe, traveling from October 1957 to December 1958. He traveled throughout Western Europe

outside the Iron Curtain and reached Yugoslavia and Turkey. He returned to Europe many times over his lifetime to

continue exploring his many interests and fulfilling his destiny as a lifelong learner. Upon Richard’s return home in

1958, he worked as an architect in New Haven for a year before moving to New York City to work in various firms as a

draftsman. In 1971, he bought and renovated, almost entirely on his own, a 3-family brownstone in Park Slope - he

was a skilled, self-taught craftsman.

Over the years, Richard made many contributions to building community in Park Slope. He helped to bring a much

needed grocery store to the neighborhood, created ‘mini parks’ at intersections of streets bordering Flatbush Ave, and

was a founding member of Good Neighbors of Park Slope (GNPS) in 2014. In his retirement, Richard enjoyed many

hobbies including researching his extensive family history and writing two books documenting 13 generations of

history and stories. Richard attended the many Sterling Place block parties over the years, and more recently enjoyed

his membership in the GNPS 90+ Social Group.

Richard had a wry sense of humor and unmatched wit. He loved history and was known to have a story about, or

have knowledge of, an extensive array of topics. He recounted stories and locations of travels over 50 years prior like

it was yesterday, enjoying his audience’s exclamations with a soft chuckle and bounce of his crossed leg. Richard was

equally adept as a listener, taking great interest in the lives and adventures of the people in his life. A strong-willed,

independent person, Richard took all challenges head on, from tackling landscaping feats in his garden to learning to

navigate a smartphone at 91.

Richard was predeceased by his life long friend, Walter Barnard, and his brothers Charles and Sigourney. He leaves

behind three generations of nieces and nephews who adored him, as well as great friends, near and far, who he

cherished. Richard will be buried in Lowell Cemetery in Lowell, Massachusetts among Richardson ancestors, and

next to his mother and father.

A memorial celebration will be held at his Park Slope home in November, when his whole family can be together. In

lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Friends of the Maryland State Archives: https://

msa.maryland.gov/msa/homepage/html/friends1.html or East Brooklyn Mutual Aid: https://

www.eastbrooklynmutualaid.org/