A brilliant and kind man, beloved brother, uncle, and great-uncle, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on August 10, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, Richard was the devoted only son of Louis and Josephine Sorbello, Sicilian immigrants who were determined to see future generations achieve the American dream. Their values of hard work, perseverance, integrity, and love of family shaped Richard’s life and guided his remarkable journey.
Richard was adventuresome even as a child. At just eight years old, he was caught by his big sister on the boardwalk at Coney Island after taking the subway there by himself. Of course, his big sister couldn’t wait to tattle on her daring younger brother — a story that became a cherished family memory and a glimpse into Richard’s independent spirit and curiosity.
A gifted scholar, Richard earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and later completed his Ph.D. in Physics at Stanford University. He went on to have a distinguished academic career, teaching for 35 years as a professor and Chair of the Physics Department at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Richard also taught in Zurich and Amsterdam, sharing his passion for learning with students across the world.
Richard cherished his colleagues and built a vibrant academic community. Over the course of his career, he published hundreds of articles — both solely and jointly — contributing valuable insights to the field of physics and science and mentoring generations of students and researchers.
Beyond his academic life, Richard was a man of wide-ranging passions. He loved traveling, especially throughout Europe, and held a special affection for all things Italian. He immersed himself in the language, culture, literature, and cuisine of Italy — savoring not only the intellectual richness but also the joy of a lovingly prepared meal over wine shared with family and friends. He also loved taking walks along Lake Michigan and treasured the peaceful lake views he enjoyed over the years.
He is survived by his loving sister Mary Giannuzzi; his nephew John Giannuzzi and John’s wife Kathy; and his cherished great-nephews Matthew, Andrew, Michael, and Will Giannuzzi. Richard took great pride in his family and was always deeply interested in their activities as well as their school and professional accomplishments.
He also held a deep and enduring affection for his dear cousin Jackie and her late mother, his beloved Aunt Marie. Their love, support, and shared memories were a cherished part of his life and brought him great comfort and joy.
Those who knew Richard will remember his loyalty, wit, quiet strength, intelligence and generous heart. A man of deep character and compassion, he found joy in life’s simple moments and left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
A private service will be held in his memory. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Richard’s legacy with a simple act of kindness.
The family is especially thankful for the loving care he received at Saint John’s on the Lake.
Read More
