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Michael Richards
Michael Richards
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Michael Richards Obituary
It is most likely that Michael Richards, a well-regarded sculptor, was doing the thing he loved most Tuesday morning in his studio in Tower 1 on the 92nd floor of the World Trade Center. "He would work through most of the night and into the morning," said Kira Harris, a friend. Mr. Richards, 38, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, worked a lot in bonded bronze, and his sculptures often had the look of life-size human figures. "We had scheduled that I would see his new work this week," said Christine Y. Kim, assistant curator at the Studio Museum in Harlem. His creations often dealt with "technology such as aviation, ironically," she said, then read aloud the words of another curator, Jorge Daniel Veneciano, about Mr. Richards's sculpture: "Each of his works engages the notion of flight in at least two important senses: as a form of flight away from what is repressive, and as a form of flight toward what is redeeming."
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Stasia Mabry
September 19, 2020
Michael, I was only two years old on September 11, 2001, and it wasn’t until I started to grow up that I knew the extent of the attacks and the way it changed the country. As a black artist and creator myself, I was very moved learning about you and your story, your life, and your inspiration behind your art. Seeing how you and your work touched the lives and souls of others in your life brings about a feeling that can’t be put into words. I hate that your life was taken from you so soon, and I know that you would have continued making a positive difference in the world if you were still here. To Michael’s family and friends, my heart and prayers are with you. I promise to never forget him or any of the other victims we lost that day.
Donna
September 7, 2011
Read your story on Roots.com today and found myself searching for photos of your work. You were an extraordinary talent and your loss is truly grievous. What wonderful work you could have created had your life not been stolen from you. We will never forget all who were lost that horrible day. RIP Michael.
edie boyer
August 13, 2009
we still remember you
Roben Torosyan
September 11, 2007
Like Kim Rand, I knew Michael when he was a grad student in art school at NYU. He always struck me as being incredibly classy, sophisticated and gentle. He had such an articulate way about him, combined with this wonderful realness--like an ability to avoid being pretentious about artmaking while still being exceptionally thoughtful as both a creator and a human being. My thoughts go to his family and loved ones. It's warming to see how many people remember him.
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Vivian Prince
September 11, 2007
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
kristine
April 17, 2007
As I stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
February 16, 2007
In remembrance....
donna k
September 10, 2004
I miss you ....
Courtney Dale
May 26, 2004
Mike, it will soon be three years since the unthinkable of sept.11th. And I'm so greatfull to Legacy.Com for giving me a chance to say to you what I could not say when you were here.
Cuz, I can still recall that first time we met at mum's house. You were up for a visit from Jamaica and I for a visit from Canada. I remembered you showing me all of your drawings and how you tried to teach me how it was done. But I could never come close to that of the master that was you. Even at the age of 14 that we were I knew that you were destint to become someone great. Although we never saw each other after that summer I was able to keep up with you through my sisters especially Dawn.
She would always tell me everything about you and uncle Fred. Whenever I couldn't remember your name I would say "how is the artist", and she would go on for sometime telling me about all your accomplishments. Mike I'm sorry that we didn't get to know each other well, but you must know that the entire family was very very proud of you, none more so than your own father uncle Fred and Mum.
I was happy I was there for your funeral for I got to see the kind of man that you became from the many people that were there and the many kind and loving tributes that were spoken. Mike, we all will be missing you and will take great comfort knowing that Mum will now be there to keep you company until we all meet again to sing God's praise.
Cheers,
Cousin Courtney.
September 12, 2003
Michael, may you rest in peace.
Kim (Rand) Van Munching
September 13, 2002
I met Michael at NYU, where we were both working on our masters. Although we didn't keep in touch over the years, I thought of him as a friend. He was very kind and gentle, with bright eyes and a secretive smile. I just learned that he was killed 9/11 yesterday while watching a memorial on television. Here it is a whole year later, and my heart just burst. So much lost. Michael, why did it have to be you? Such a good person with so much to offer to this world. I pray you are at peace.
Brian English
September 12, 2002
We met in 85 working for Fred at the gallery. You were with Andrea and at Queens College at the time.Although we never really connected over the years we did meet on the street ocassionally. The last time was on Washington Sq. In my mind, I can see you walking there and hear your laugh. Im sorry that this happened to you, but I do know that you went in peace.
Your friend
September 11, 2002
It seems like only yesterday when we first me but in reality its been much more than that. You are truly missed and there is not a day that goes by that we don't think of you.
May God give your family peace and may they too find comfort in the memories they have of you.
Lin Smith
September 7, 2002
Nearly a year has past and it's still so very difficult to comprehend the evil & madness that took such a gentle & positive soul from the world. Still miss your smile. Til we meet again, your always in my heart!!
Lin Smith
Anonymous
April 5, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL TALENTED MAN..MICHAEL RICHARDS AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS LOVING FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS..STAY CLOSE..PRAY..AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF JAMAICA..MAY JESUS AND ST.MICHAEL GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Toni Lewis
February 10, 2002
Thank you, Michael, for memories of a gentle and powerful artist. I was deeply touched by your sculptures and your words that accompanied them.
margo belton
February 9, 2002
michael i will always remember how helpful you were around the gym.
i wonder how many people know that you used your own body to cast the airman series in bronze. You alway strove to express the message they best way you could and i will miss your smile, your silences and your art. for a man of few words you spoke volumes. thank you- margo
personal trainer
Sue Gangarossa
February 1, 2002
Michael-I am wearing your Mercy band. You and all the victims, your friends and family, will always be in my prayers. Rest in peace, my friend.
Simon Taylor
February 1, 2002
I can't say that I was a particularly close friend of Michael Richards. We were students together in the Whitney Museum's Independent Study Program during 1992-93. The last time I talked to Michael was during a reunion at the Whitney in, probably, 1998. There are a lot of nasty, backbiting people in the artworld, but Michael wasn't one of them. He was a genuinely sweet guy and the fact that we lost this talented artist on the 11th has caused me a great deal of anguish. I remember his opposition to United States military aggression in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere, and I wonder what he would think about the current war in Afghanistan. What a terrible loss!
Marceen Farsakian
January 25, 2002
I wear Michael's name on a Mercy band. He sounds like a wonderful,talent soul. In his memory I remember all those that lost their lives on 911!
Debra Lewis
January 16, 2002
Michael, pictures of you hang in my office at work and my memories are all good.You know what I never ever saw you mad. You were always "Mr Kool". Colin, Dillon and I miss you. You were taken too soon, but you know what? You are definitely not forgotten. Each day I enter my office I say hello to you and when I leave I say, see ya tomorrow, You are still with us in spirit.Still smiling, still dancing, still with that look of "wonderment" in your eyes. It certainly won't be the same at Roger's summer birthday bashes without you,but boy didn't we have a blast there last summer. We will always love you and you are forever in our hearts.
Love Always
Your Brooklyn friends Debra, Colin and 9 year old Dillon. Love always
Anne Howard
January 15, 2002
Michael Richards was a wonderfully talented young man who attended NYU with my daughter. I will never forget how sad we all were when we heard that he had been killed. I understand from my daughter that his memorial service was very special, and that all of his many friends attended.
Lin Smith
December 31, 2001
Michael, not a day passes that I don't think of you & realize inspite
of all wishful thinking that you have really passed on....remember the picture of you smiling so big as always in the truck in Chicago, while making the peace sign....??It
hangs on my wall at work....We will
never forget you....We Miss You!!!
Big Hug
& Peace Back at You...Luv Lin
Teresa Jahn
December 15, 2001
It sounds like Michael was very talented. The world will miss him. We are very sorry for your loss of Michael. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Patrice Walker Powell
November 30, 2001
As a tribute to the creative promise that was interrupted, the legacy of work that was already accomplished and the lessons we struggle to comprehend,... Rest in Peace.
Merrill Lyew
October 8, 2001
Michael, you were taken away from us, but you continue to live in our hearts.
Mary Crocker
October 4, 2001
As I was reading through these obituaries I came upon Michael Richards. I am a pianter and have had friends who have had studios in the WTC. They spoke of the majesty of the views and the inspiration it gave them. Mr. Richards leaves his legacy with us, a very poignant expression he had in his subject matter, and I feel he rests now on the Other side. Good Bless his family and friends may light and love fill all your darkness and sorrow.
venice morris
September 25, 2001
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and may god rest your soul in peace, you are now an angel.
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