Richard Alan Lathrop

Richard (Rich) Alan Lathrop passed gently at his home on Monday, July 28, immersed in the love of four generations of family. Rich’s life was defined by commitment to family and service to his community.

Rich was born July 25, 1945, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, to Louise and Lee Lathrop, joining older sister Sandra (Boos/Clark). The family moved to Longmont in 1953. Rich met his soulmate early and was grateful in word and deed for her presence in his life throughout. He married Lana (Wells) Hall on August 21, 1965, after both graduated from Longmont High School, and passed away holding her hand, shortly before the couple could celebrate their 60th anniversary.

Rich and Lana welcomed their three children into the world while Rich earned his journalism degree from the University of Colorado. This was a feat inspired by educators and others in the community who encouraged him to pursue higher education despite some challenges along the way. While earning his degree, he worked in construction to support his young family. He proudly recalled being applauded by his fellow construction workers as he joined the other graduates walking to the ceremony.

A news officer for the US Environmental Protection Agency for 32 years, Rich was a beloved colleague and trusted source of timely and truthful information to the media and stakeholders in the region. As a gifted writer, he liked to quip: “Words is my business.” An instrumental contributor to the creation of Eco-Cycle and a founding member of El Comite, Rich worked tirelessly with Longmonters he profoundly respected to make his city less wasteful and more equitable.

Together Rich and Lana raised their three children in Longmont: Jason (Kassia) of Longmont, Jamie (Jeff Bruce) of Longmont, and Jon (Jenny Diesburg-Lathrop) of Los Alamos, NM. Rich inspired his children to also dedicate their lives to community. All three of his children became teachers and have devoted their lives to public education. Rich also deeply loved his son-in-law, Lance Melting, who passed away in 2008.

Rich’s dedication to social and environmental justice inspired him to volunteer thousands of hours to organizations and people who shared his vision of a better world. He sometimes joked that the seventeen gallons of blood he donated over his lifetime had the potential to not only improve health, but also open hearts to kindness and acceptance.

Rich spent countless hours painting in his home studio, and playing guitar, harmonica and drums. One of his happiest times was when we would gather for a traditional family hootennanny. Rich’s imagination, curiosity, and intellect live on in all who were blessed by his company, and especially through his wife, children, grandchildren (Aaron, Andrew, Emma, Alex, Logan, Abby, Hailey, and Aiden), and great-grandchildren (Bryson, Reni, Amelia). In addition to his close relationships with his immediate and large extended family, Rich shared loving ties with his many friends, neighbors, former coworkers, and fellow artists. Rich also felt a close kinship to his friends in the democratic party, and among local activists and his Parkinson’s-community friends.

No services will be held, as the family will celebrate Rich’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Rich's memory are invited to make a donation to El Comite of Longmont (elcomitedelongmont.org), Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies (parkinsonrockies.org) or an environmental cause of choice.