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Richard Ehrman Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Ehrman
David Garrison
June 4, 2023
I've spent several years trying to find my old friend, Rich Ehrman before coming across this Memories Page, and learning of his passing. Rich and I shared an adjoining wall in Fukuoka, Japan where we were both international exchange students. Our worlds of origin could hardly have been more different. I am a Southern Baptist from Arkansas, but in Rich I found a fellow sojourner. He introduced me to Bob Dylan, Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Van Morrison, the backstories of the Beatles, Jack Kerouac, and so much more. He was one of the most remarkable people I've known in my 66 years. A year after leaving Japan, I married my high school sweetheart and we honeymooned in NYC where Rich graciously shared his city with us. We will never forget the night spent on center stage of the Wooster Street loft, sleeping on a mattress surrounded by stage flats borrowed from Rich and Peter's off-off-off Broadway theatre productions. Since those days in the 70s, I've traveled to more than 100 countries, delighted in the musical heritage Rich shared with me, and visited NYC numerous times -- often looking for Rich. Sad to find him gone, but grateful for the life he shared with me and so many others.
phil morimoto
November 16, 2020
I vividly recall playing a gig at the Outpost with Rich and Liz 12 years ago, about three days before he passed. We had a blast. We were getting something very meaningful and special through playing together. Rich was getting new tunes under his fingers like "Goodbye Porkiepie Hat". It seems like just the other day when we would hook up for music or chess. I note that he lived his life fully and happily. He always was learning something new and shared his positive outlook and insights freely. I miss my buddy.
October 5, 2017
Rich, while here and still now, bestowed us with many memories, lessons, shared experiences, love and friendships. He lost life, but we gained life's important meanings from living with him. Dear Rich, see you, one day, again, on the other side, i hope, but not too soon. ISAO
Kenneth Benjamin
December 1, 2016
Dear Ritchie, As we approach what would have been your 60th bday I find myself thinking of all the great times we shared and the tremendous influence you had on me. You were my very first friend as a youngster and turned me on to so many new experiences. I recall the time at 108 Wooster St when you couldn't play a single tune on the piano. You always had your opinions on jazz musicians and when I asked how could you opine without even playing an instrument you simply pointed to your head and said "it's all up here" and you weren't kidding one bit! I wish we had more adult time together. I tried. I truly did. And then it was too late....RIP my dear friend!
michael Rivard
November 19, 2009
hey bud, its been a year but it ain't getting any easier. still missing you every day. you made quite an impression during your time on earth. probably making an equally profound one wherever you are. you kicking it with sun ra yet?
Jeff Jackson
February 25, 2009
I am shocked and saddened to learn this news. I worked with Rich at the Concert Office for nine years, first as a student and then as his assistant. He was one of the biggest influences on me in my life. Especially during those very formative years. And he treated me like an adult, even when I was still a kid. Thank you Rich. Thanks for James Brown, Fela Kuti, Sun Ra and the countless other musicians, films, books and culture that you turned me on to. I'll never forget you.
Bobby Stanton
January 9, 2009
I am so deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend. I knew Richard for many years and will always remember his smile and sense of humor. He will be missed.
Laura Parker Roerden
December 30, 2008
I just learned of Rich's passing and want to express my deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. I knew Rich from our years working together at Berklee in the late 80s. When I think of him, I'm struck by how such a large presence also walked so softly. While his passing is so untimely, he certainly reverberates to those who knew him at all. . .
Mike Rivard
December 18, 2008
I learned of Richard's passing hours before i sent out a newsletter to my band Club d'Elf's email list. This is what I wrote:
I learned just a few hours ago that my dear friend Richard Ehrman passed early this morning. This is hard stuff, dear readers. Rich - or Bud Struggle as he sometimes was called - was my oldest friend in Boston, having met each other in freshman listening and analysis at Berklee many moons ago. It was there that we were introduced together to the joys of the Shaggs "Philosophy of the World" (www.theshaggsonline.com/) and bonded over a mutual love of Coltrane (www.johncoltrane.com/), Sun Ra (www.elrarecords.com/) & the Art Ensemble of Chicago (www.artensembleofchicago.com/).
Rich was older than i and saw in me an eager newbie and took me under his wing, letting me raid his estimable record collection and turning me on to more music than any single individual in my life. God, i miss him already. i remember fondly so many shows we went to together...Sun Ra at the now-defunkt Nightstage...the Art Ensemble at Jonathan Swifts (also long gone)...James Brown at the Channel (long-gone)....Fela Kuti at the Opera House...and the list goes on.
An intensely well-read guy and as knowledgable about film, literature and all of the finer things in life as he was about music, his mentoring meant so much to me, as he introduced me to many of what came to be my favorites: Cassavettes, Welles, Hans Reichel, Harry Partch, obscure free-jazz from the 60's and 70's NYC loft scene...the list does just go on and on. He was an early supportive of Club d'Elf and encouraged me about as much as any human being in my life has. Rich, i love you, man. I'm sorry we didn't get to hang as much of late, but i know you are going to have a gas meeting all of those cats who have blown your mind over the years. Say hi for me to Trane and Miles and Shakespeare and Ra and Orson and all the rest. Rest in peace, my friend.
Phil Morimoto
December 17, 2008
To quote a song - "You don't know what you got til it's gone". I underestimated how important Rich was in my life and I now see where he was more clearly because of his absence. Rich was a friend of 25+ years and like a brother. We shared many of life's marvelous experiences while working together at Berklee, studying and practicing Tai Chi, battling over the chess board, playing music and just hanging out. He was a great companion on life's walk. I was looking forward to being a couple old men playing chess in Harvard Square on a warm summer's day. It is sad that we won't have him to share all of the good things ahead, but I think he'd want us all to live each experience as fully as possible - that's what he did.
Scott Lawrence
December 14, 2008
There are so many memories and experiences we had together. I am thankful for all of them and for having the privilege of being able to call you my dear and trusted friend. I thought for many years that I was your teacher in many things. It is now that I learn how much you taught me. May your family be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. I love you dearly my friend.
Cathy Lawrence
December 8, 2008
My brother loved Richie so much, and as a result, so did I. Growing up it seems as if the two spent so much time together, learning about and exploring all the great mysteries life had to offer. Richie was so open and friendly and cool - I'll never hear Van Morrison again without thinking of him! I'm glad I knew him back then, I wish I had known him more.
Peter Ehrman
December 8, 2008
Richard was my brother. I loved him very much. I still do and will until I die. He offered me the chance to love him and there is no greater gift. Now his memories guide me in life. He was fully engaged in life. I am sad for him and for myself that he could not have had more time. He would have used it well
Sonia Commentucci
December 5, 2008
Dear Rich,
you left a big hole inside of me, my life won't be the same. You were a rare and special person and I'm so sad that you hadn't the time to say goodbye to your wife, family, friends. This is terrible for a person like you who loved people. My thoughts to Liz and the Ehrman Family. I'll be in Boston for the memorial of next January. Love, Sonia
Lynn Stockhamer
December 5, 2008
I met Richie Ehrman at SUNY Oneonta back in 1974. As a freshman he did the overnight Sunday/Monday all-jazz radio. He turned me on to Kerouac, Cassidy, Sarah Vaughan, Leonard Cohen and more. He loved my "little brother", Lee. His passion for all he loved in and about the world will be deeply missed. Special condolences to his brother Peter and Lynn W., his sister Gaile and his dad, Stanley. Remembering the pre-halloween parade receptions and the mass passover celebrations in P's soho loft and being welcomed in NYC. With much love and condolences to Rich's entire family.
Fred Koenig
December 2, 2008
I am so fortunate to have shared many childhood memories and antics from down the block in Jericho. Even back then his passion for Dylan & Lou Reed demonstrated his introspective sense. To this day, my wife and I speak so fondly of the Passover Sedar at his brother's loft on 108 Wooster Street! His strong sense of individuality, insightfullness and sense of humor will be forever remembered. My deepest condolences to all family and friends.
Karen Kindig
December 1, 2008
When I was first at Berklee, in 1986, my work study job was in the Concert Office, and Rich was my boss. He was great - very funny and interesting and caring. Being from California, I didn't go home for the Thanksgiving holiday and Rich was so kind and invited me to accompany him and his friend, "Bunny," to a dinner with some of his friends. I still fondly remember that day. We also went to a James Brown concert together. I and a co-worker, Norbert, are both bass players and Rich was a big Bootsy Collins fan and often played James Brown in the office, pointing out all the cool Bootsy licks. I didn't stay in touch with Rich, but I did visit him at the Concert Office whenever I was in Boston, the last time being in June 2006. I'm deeply saddened to hear that he has passed away and will remember him always, with much affection.
Rupert Watson
November 26, 2008
I'm writing from New Zealand. I knew Richard from his IFF and Feldenkrais Archives work. I always looked forward to catching up with him at Iff Assemblies.. He was so superb at everything he did, just one of those amazing people we rarely meet.I was lucky and had the chance. I think of him as a quiet warrior. Utterly stunned when I read the news. My deepest sympathy.
Patricia Flanagan
November 25, 2008
Dear Liz: I have this banner over my desk and read it many times in the course of a day: We are visitors on this planet...we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives. If you contribute to other people’s happiness, you will find the true meaning of life (H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama). I did not know Rich well, but one particular conversation you and I had gave me a very clear ‘snapshot’ of what he meant to you -- he fully contributed to your happiness, and in that awareness, I shared that happiness with you. I can only imagine what the ‘full movie version’ of this wonderful person was like, and the true meaning of life Rich surely achieved. xopf
David Clark
November 25, 2008
Liz, Family, Friends - So sad to be without him, so happy to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with Rich, with Liz, with their family, and with us all. May we grow in his memory.
- Thank you Rich, my dear friend and chess nemesis -
ok, ok, I'll study more tactics...
Nancy Field
November 24, 2008
My deepest condolences to all the family. I attended our Syosset High School Prom with Richard. He wore a red, white and black checked tuxedo.
Dusk Lipton
November 22, 2008
My thoughts are with you, Liz, during this extremely difficult time.
Dusk
New Orleans
Chris Fox
November 22, 2008
Liz, Am thinking of you as you go through this period of time. I hope you can find some solace in your music, your many friends, and in God.
Valerie Uccellani
November 22, 2008
I love you, Rich. I love the energy you brought to our gatherings -- especially those on the Shelter Harbor beach, porch, and pond. I will always be grateful for the warmth with which you always embraced me, my new husband, and my dear Tess. I thank you for being you and givng us so much. - Val U.
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