Richard H Donsky

January 21, 1931 to May 2025

New York: RICHARD H. DONSKY, age 94, passed away May 9, 2025, after a courageous battle with a neuromuscular disorder. He died as he lived, with a quip and a laugh, sharing memories with family and friends.

Richard was born to Louis and Lillian Donsky in New York City, and the family soon settled in Farmingdale, home to Republic Aviation. In 1953, he graduated from Syracuse University, after which he bravely joined the US Army during the Vietnam War, serving as a medic in Saarbrücken, Germany, near the French Border and a few hours from Paris. Upon returning home, he found friends joining the summer clubs on Lido Beach - the Malibu and the Colony - and the girls only interested in dating guys who knew how to cha-cha. He quickly signed on at Don Ameche Dance Studio.

In 1959, after working a few years at Franklin National Bank on Long Island, he joined forces with two longtime friends to start the eponymously named Saul Lerner Company, an options firm selling derivatives, then known as 'puts and calls.' In 1974, the company merged with CBWL-Hayden Stone, then under the leadership of the legendary Sanford "Sandy" Weill. In time, the company became Shearson-American Express and, ultimately, Shearson Lehman Brothers.

Having served many years as a Senior Vice President, Richard retired in 1995 after a brief time as a managing director at Lehman Brothers. His departure was deeply felt in the industry, where he had served on numerous industry-wide committees, including but not limited to the American Exchange Advisory Committee and the NYSE Options allocations Committee. Additional company awards and honors were many, but the one he remained the proudest of was winning the Sixth Grade Geography Challenge.

Richard was a man who truly loved life. His zest for living was infectious, and he could strike up a conversation with anyone, from New York cab drivers to Belgian princes. His absence leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of crossing paths with him. He leaves behind his beloved wife, the author Barbara Bracht Donsky, and children: David and Juliette of Brooklyn and Douglas and Melinda of Chatham, New Jersey, and two delightful grandchildren, Tyler and Kate Donsky.

Burial will be private.

Instead of flowers or gifts, memorial donations in Dick's name may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for those who have sacrificed so much for our country and ensure that their service is never forgotten. With roots in the tragedy of 9/11, Tunnel to Towers is now committed to providing homes for homeless veterans.