Richard J. Diamond passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a remarkable life defined by creativity, curiosity, devotion to family, and an enduring love of learning and the world around him.
Richard was born on December 25, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, and later moved with his family to Long Beach, New York, where he spent his childhood and teenage years. The beach and ocean became lifelong touchstones for him. As a teenager, he spent summers on the Long Beach boardwalk making pizza, forging friendships and memories that would last a lifetime.
He graduated from Long Beach High School in 1960 and went on to attend Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken before earning a degree in architecture from the City College of New York. Richard's talent, intelligence and creativity led to an extraordinary career in architecture. Based in New York, he worked for decades with master architect I. M. Pei, where he played a leadership role on numerous high-profile global projects, including the iconic Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the Jacob Javits Center in NYC and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He concluded his career with Santiago Calatrava, serving as project lead on the Oculus transportation hub at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan—an integral part of the rebuilding of Ground Zero.
Richard met the love of his life, Eileen (née Rodolitz), through his sister Marcy, who was working as a music counselor at a day camp where Eileen was an art counselor. They were married in March 1963 and shared a loving partnership for decades. Together they welcomed three children: Kim, born on Valentine's Day, followed by their son Adam and daughter Cindy.
In retirement, Richard relocated to Boynton Beach, Florida, settling in a community just around the corner from his sister Maida, who he affectionately referred to as Sissy. There, he embraced retirement with the same enthusiasm he brought to every phase of life—socializing with many close friends, several of whom he had known since grade school in Long Beach, and spending countless hours on the golf course.
Richard approached everything he loved with intensity and passion. His interests were wide-ranging and pursued with vigor, including photography, skiing, speed ice skating, boating, fishing, and golf. He was exceptionally artistic and creative, delighting in making his own artwork and even designing his own holiday cards on the computer. He enjoyed watching movies, especially classic Westerns and documentaries and always had his Kindle loaded with the latest action/adventure and spy novels. A life-long learner, Richard seemed to know something about nearly everything and relished expanding his knowledge. His intelligence supported his sharp wit and great sense of humor.
Above all, Richard was profoundly proud of his family. He was known for carrying his iPad wherever he went, eager to show photos of his children and grandchildren to anyone who would indulge him. His love for them was boundless and unmistakable.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, Sylvia Wertheim (née Walker) and Bernard Diamond; his sister Marcy Sugarman; and the love of his life, his beloved wife Eileen.
He is survived by his daughter Kim Diamond, her partner Noah Forrest, and their daughter Emma; his son Adam Diamond, his wife Erin, and their daughter Jordan; his daughter Cindy Roberti, her husband Chris, and their children CJ and Eva; his sister Maida Jasper; and his cherished nieces and nephews.
Richard will be remembered for his brilliance, creativity, generosity of spirit, and the deep love he had for his family. His legacy lives on in the spaces he helped create, the art he made, the knowledge he shared, and the family he adored.
In lieu of flowers, contributions - In Memory of Richard J. Diamond - may be made to: Mount Sinai Medical Center, https://www.msmc.com/foundation/make-a-donation-or-pledge-payment/
Richard was born on December 25, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, and later moved with his family to Long Beach, New York, where he spent his childhood and teenage years. The beach and ocean became lifelong touchstones for him. As a teenager, he spent summers on the Long Beach boardwalk making pizza, forging friendships and memories that would last a lifetime.
He graduated from Long Beach High School in 1960 and went on to attend Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken before earning a degree in architecture from the City College of New York. Richard's talent, intelligence and creativity led to an extraordinary career in architecture. Based in New York, he worked for decades with master architect I. M. Pei, where he played a leadership role on numerous high-profile global projects, including the iconic Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the Jacob Javits Center in NYC and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He concluded his career with Santiago Calatrava, serving as project lead on the Oculus transportation hub at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan—an integral part of the rebuilding of Ground Zero.
Richard met the love of his life, Eileen (née Rodolitz), through his sister Marcy, who was working as a music counselor at a day camp where Eileen was an art counselor. They were married in March 1963 and shared a loving partnership for decades. Together they welcomed three children: Kim, born on Valentine's Day, followed by their son Adam and daughter Cindy.
In retirement, Richard relocated to Boynton Beach, Florida, settling in a community just around the corner from his sister Maida, who he affectionately referred to as Sissy. There, he embraced retirement with the same enthusiasm he brought to every phase of life—socializing with many close friends, several of whom he had known since grade school in Long Beach, and spending countless hours on the golf course.
Richard approached everything he loved with intensity and passion. His interests were wide-ranging and pursued with vigor, including photography, skiing, speed ice skating, boating, fishing, and golf. He was exceptionally artistic and creative, delighting in making his own artwork and even designing his own holiday cards on the computer. He enjoyed watching movies, especially classic Westerns and documentaries and always had his Kindle loaded with the latest action/adventure and spy novels. A life-long learner, Richard seemed to know something about nearly everything and relished expanding his knowledge. His intelligence supported his sharp wit and great sense of humor.
Above all, Richard was profoundly proud of his family. He was known for carrying his iPad wherever he went, eager to show photos of his children and grandchildren to anyone who would indulge him. His love for them was boundless and unmistakable.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, Sylvia Wertheim (née Walker) and Bernard Diamond; his sister Marcy Sugarman; and the love of his life, his beloved wife Eileen.
He is survived by his daughter Kim Diamond, her partner Noah Forrest, and their daughter Emma; his son Adam Diamond, his wife Erin, and their daughter Jordan; his daughter Cindy Roberti, her husband Chris, and their children CJ and Eva; his sister Maida Jasper; and his cherished nieces and nephews.
Richard will be remembered for his brilliance, creativity, generosity of spirit, and the deep love he had for his family. His legacy lives on in the spaces he helped create, the art he made, the knowledge he shared, and the family he adored.
In lieu of flowers, contributions - In Memory of Richard J. Diamond - may be made to: Mount Sinai Medical Center, https://www.msmc.com/foundation/make-a-donation-or-pledge-payment/
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