08/12/2025
Today is the first day back to school for many students in Nevada. This new school year is going to be full of incredible memories made possible by teachers. We would like to honor a heroic donor who dedicated their life to giving back in this way. Meet Richard. His loved ones shared, “Richard’s early career was as a fisherman’s biologist in Alaska, where he lived in a tent and worked in the rivers. During his doctoral work he collected thousands of insects across the United States for the Royal Ontario Museum. Richard became a renowned expert in classifying insects and keyed insects from all over the world. His next career took him to Weber State University as a professor in science education and the director of the center for science and math education. Later, Richard was the K-12 science consultant and later the assessment coordinator for the Nevada Department of Education. A driving force in his life was his profound love of science and the world around him along with helping others develop this same love. Richard believed in the power of stories to change the world and that by explaining how the natural world came to be and how it functioned, one could motivate others to be inspired to save it. Through his work with primary school students presenting as Dr. Bugs, he filled kids with bug-eyed wonder with his amazing insect collections and stories. Richard was an ambitious hiker, avid golfer, excellent cook, inquisitive photographer, prolific writer and voracious reader. He was a man with the eye of a scientist, the heart of a naturalist and the soul of a poet. Richard would remind us to be sure to enjoy the journey of life and to make sure to always pay attention to the little beautiful things amidst the rocks on every trail. He was most at home amidst forests of sagebrush and pine trees, hiking with his family and beloved dogs. Richard's favorite trails were in Lakes Basin in California, the Ruby Mountains and the deserts of Utah.” Inspired? Become a hero today: www.nvdonor.org
