Richard Geoffrey Hansford, born April 29, 1944 in Market Bosworth, England. He lived with his parents, Charles and Elizabeth, older brother Philip, and younger sister Sylvia, through his school years.
Richard earned his BS in Biochemistry, Bristol University (UK), 1965, and PhD in Biochemistry, Bristol University (UK), 1968. Dr. Hansford worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University from 1969-1970 and lectured at Cardiff University (UK) from 1970-1973. He emigrated to the United States in 1973 with his wife, Linda, and son, Tom, to work as a research biochemist for the National Institute on Aging. The couple had two more children, Kate and Ben.
Richard conducted research in the area of mitochondrial biochemistry and physiology, and published over 100 peer reviewed scientific articles for journals and book chapters in edited volumes. He was an internationally renowned scientist who was well-respected for his fair mindedness and integrity. Richard was invited to give talks on his research around the world.
He remarried in 1993 to his wife of 28 years, Rozann, becoming stepfather to Patrick. After Dr. Hansford retired from the NIA in 1999, he and Rozann embarked on an adventure of which he had frequently dreamed: the couple moved to an island home in Grenada West Indies with their sailboat moored behind their house. He was Chair of the Biochemistry Department of St. George’s Medical School (Grenada) from 1999 to 2006. Dr. Hansford was popular with his students.
The couple returned to Maryland in 2006. Richard was busy leading the life of a gentleman farmer. He raised cows, bred Irish Wolfhounds, rode his bicycle through winding country roads, and wrote five books about his experiences in science, teaching in a medical school, living in Northern Maryland, and sailing with his father. Richard loved traveling the world with Rosie and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed sailing, cycling, and his hounds. Richard read voraciously and was always up for discussing current events over a good beer.
Richard is survived by his wife (Rozann), four children (Tom, Kate, Patrick, and Ben), nine grandchildren (Chloe, Zack, Avery, Ian, Matt, Xavier, Julia, Allie, and Emily), his brother (Phillip), and sister (Sylvia).
He will be lovingly remembered for his curious and brilliant mind, adventurous spirit, devotion to his family, and kindness to everyone he met.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
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