Richard Epstein

Richard Bennett Epstein (Dick) died peacefully in his sleep on June 25, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado at the age of 96 years old. Dick was born in New York City on August 3, 1920 to Bennett and Grace Epstein. He married Judith Dreifuss on May 18, 1952 and they shared their lives together for 65 years. Dick was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Duboff, and is survived by his sister Margaret Weinstock of Mamaroneck, NY, his loving wife Judy, their daughter Helen of Acton, MA and his sons Ken and Rick of Boulder and their wives Suzanne Carrington and Lisa Green. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren Meghan, Zivvy, Jordan, and Micah, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Dick served in the US Air Force during WWII as an aircraft mechanic that began a lifelong interest in planes, trains, and automobiles. He worked for GATX selling and leasing railroad tank cars in the New York Area for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors and left his family with many fond memories of camping adventures and ski trips. He was an accomplished photographer who specialized in photos of family, travels, and nature. He enjoyed music and loved playing in a neighborhood steel drum band. Dick was a Boy Scout Master for 25 years, shaping young minds and sharing his love of nature. Throughout his life he remained an avid weather buff.

At the age of 57 he had a serious illness after which he retired. However volunteerism became his new work. Some of these activities were as an EMT with a local ambulance corps, as an ombudsman for several nursing homes, and for Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH.) In 1993, he was inducted into the Westchester County, NY Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in recognition of his volunteer work. Despite many physical hardships, he never lost his love for traveling, telling stories, bridge, and reading the Sunday New York Times.

After living the first 85 years of his life in the New York area, Judy and Dick moved to The Meridian in Boulder, CO in 2005 where they made many new friends and have enjoyed an active life. He will be missed by his family and friends, but we are comforted by many wonderful memories. His strength was an inspiration to us all.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name can be made to: Doctors Without Borders USA, 333 7th Ave, Floor 2, New York, New York, 10001-5029. There will be a memorial service in Boulder on July 22 at the Meridian and in New York in late August. Details can be found at www.gmfuneral.com.