Richard Gottlieb

Richard F. Gottlieb 1935-2012 GUILFORD Richard F. Gottlieb, 76, of Green River Road died Wednesday evening, February 15, 2012 at his home following a short period of declining health. Richard was born in Bronx, N.Y., on February 28, 1935, the son of Jacob and Esther (Richter) Gottlieb. He was raised and educated in the greater New York City area graduating from Columbia University receiving his B.S. degree in Engineering Mechanics. He later attended Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont earning his Masters degree in solar energy. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served his country and was honorably discharged from active service. Richard did run for the political office of governor of Vermont for several elections, gaining more votes with each election, but not sufficient to win the office of governor. He owned and operated Sunnyside Solar based in Guilford which he established in 1979. Previously he operated his own car dealership, Richard's Citroen, located in the Bronx. Even after becoming established in the field of solar and renewable energy, he maintained his love of fixing old French cars. One of his career highlights was his participation in working on the very first Vanguard satellite. This was his initial experience with photovoltaics as he was involved in putting the solar cells on the satellite. In 2002 he was honored by NESEA with the Distinguished Service Award. Richard was a member of many regional and national solar organizations. He was NABCEP Photovoltaic Installer, and later won the distinction of Master Trainer for PV at Ulster BOCES from the Institute for Sustainable Power. On September 14, 1979 in Brattleboro he married Carol Levin who survives. Besides his faithful and loving wife of 32 years, he leaves his son, Reuben Gottlieb of Guilford and his long-term foster care son Kevin Styles of Somersworth, N.H. He also leaves three cousins, Robert Rubner of Long Island, Paul Rubner of Colorado, and Judy Oestreich of Westchester County, N.Y. Additionally he is survived by a host of friends, colleagues, many students he taught and mentored for the past decade and an extensive family of in-laws from the Levin family. Funeral services were conducted on Friday, February 17, 2012, at the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community Synagogue, Shir-He-Harim, followed by burial in Brattleboro Area Jewish Community Cemetery at Morningside in Brattleboro. Memorial contributions in Richard's name may be made to Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, P.O. Box 2353, West Brattleboro, VT 05303 or to Guilford Cares, Inc., 756 Packers Corners Road, Guilford, VT 05301. To sign an online register book or send messages of e-condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.