dick is missed by me a great deal. we lunched together often.   

he first played tennis with me when i started and no one else would. 

Dick Shapiro was my best friend.  Not only was he my best friend, he was the best friend of many others.  He was a thoughtful and understanding listener.  His responses were very carefully given, and unlike some of my other acquaintances, he never insisted that his advice be taken.  Most importantly, he remembered what was said. He was the kind of friend that was always helpful with any problems I had. I very much believe that I am not alone in feeling that way. That's why he had so many friends. He was also always helpful to me, especially when I was unable to drive because of my poor eyesight. He often volunteered to pick up groceries and deliver them to me. He did that until he went into the hospital. I am certain he did the same thing for others as well. His capabilities as an organizer and coordinator for our tennis group were so remarkable that we all called him The Commissioner. Without him, our tennis schedules would have been a mess. Although he was a full time professor of business, he also worked for a stock brokerage firm and undertook other business activities. 

He had an ardent love of music, especially Dixieland and music of the 1920's.  Until his last illness, he would attend the Larchmere Tavern's frequent musical events.  We would often go to various locations for jazz performances over the course of many years.  He also liked classical music and often went with Roma to the Cleveland Institute of Music. 

It seems to me that his varied interests were remarkable. This range of interests leads me to think of him as a Renaissance Man.  None of us will ever forget him.  

I have known Dicky my whole life. Because our parents were very close when we were growing up we saw Dicky and Judy often. They were the next thing to having a brother and sister. But they were much older. Dicky was 10 years older than me so he was like a giant to me. When I was in second grade he was a senior in high school. But as we grew up we became more relational. We have so many memories from those early years. Robert recounted playing sports with Dicky. I can still picture how he shot a basketball from the side almost from the hip. I have fond memories in the early 70’s when you all came to California for a year... Dicky, Roma and those two cute little kids. 

As adults sometimes we wouldn’t see each other for years but I always felt very close to Dicky and he always let me know that I/we were always close to him. One of the things I was going to say was said by someone else was how he took such a deep interest in what’s going on in our lives. In fact we always joked about him giving me the third degree and he should have been a lawyer, but I loved it because it meant he really cared and he always remembered so the next time we were together he would just continue the interrogations where he left off. My lifestyle has always been a bit "unconventional" but I never felt judged by him. I loved his casual demeanor, his style, his laugh and his sense of humor. He had class. He is someone I never stopped looking up to right from the beginning. I will miss him as we all will.

Roma, you were lucky to have him but he was really lucky to have such a wonderful wife. And the kids were lucky to have you both.

Dear Roma and Judi and kids,
    I have only the best memories of cousin Dickie.  I remember: the summers going to camp when he was a counselor, playing basketball and tennis with him, playing step ball on Kamin street, where he lived with Judi growing up, playing “baseball” off the wall in our backyard at our house on Darlington Road, going to the Cleveland-Steeler’s rivalry football games. He first introduced me to jaz when I was 10 years old and going through his collection of endless jaz records. He was quick witted and loved good jokes and loved his family.
      He was a fun guy and a life well lived.
          All my love,
             Cousin Robert

i spent a great deal of time withDick over the years wheni he first came to cleveland and worked for the derries. played tennis with him and his groups when i was first starting  and having lunch with him in the last 10 years.i will miss him.

condolences   carol and howard berusch

Dear Roma and Family: My good friend  Dick will be greatly missed and long remembered. He was the organizer and rightly named  the Commissioner of our tennis group for many years. Then when no longer able to play  tennis he arranged luncheon 
gatherings for enjoyable conversation and family updates. Always the organizer he could be counted on to bring friends from different backgrounds and occupations together and good times were had by all.  Your loss is ours as well. Sincerely, Terry Hokenstad.

Dear Roma and family, 
We were so sorry to learn of Richards passing.  He was so kind and loving. You must have many happy family memories to help you through this time of grieving. Please accept our most heartfelt condolences. 
Love, 
Myrna and Warren


Dear Roma and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Dick. He was such a lovely gentleman and will be missed by my father, Bill Neides. My dad has been telling me how much fun the two couples had when going to jazz concerts and on other outings.  He was a dear friend. 
Our heartfelt condolences to you all.
Pam Neides
Bill Neides


OBITUARY

Richard W. Shapiro

May 11, 1938 – July 27, 2020

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

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