Richard Greenfield

Dr. Richard Kenneth Greenfield died on August 7, 2022, in Boulder, Colorado. At 96 years old, this preeminent historian lived a singular life, generously sharing his knowledge and life experiences with many a rapt audience. Born August 24, 1925, in New York City, Richard was intellectually motivated by his scholarly parents, Solomon Greenfield and Olga Benov Greenfield. As a descendant of Jewish immigrants, he became a bellwether in education. Richard received his undergraduate degree with distinction in American History from Cornell University, where he started his college career at 16 years old. He then earned his Master's degree in American History and Ph.D. in Education specializing in Administration of Community Colleges, both from Columbia University. In 1943 Dr. Greenfield's college career was interrupted by World War 2. Patriotism and heritage compelled him toenlist in the US Army, where he served as a 2nd lieutenant in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, earning a commendation medal for his work doing repatriation for the Japanese. Witnessing firsthand the devastation of nuclear war left an indelible impression. After returning to the U.S.and completing his education, Richard pursued a career in education, hoping to ensure that the bitter lessons of history would not repeat themselves. He devoted his life to exemplifying the highest moral standards, informed by his profound historic perspective, and to his vision for humanity. He launched into a career of teaching, leadership, and administration. Dr. Richard Greenfield was a professor and Dean of faculty in history and social science at the New York City Community College in Brooklyn, a founding President of Sullivan County Community College, a founding President of Mercer County Community College, the Chancellor for St. Louis County Community College District, and the Executive Director for the College Consortium of International Studies in New York City. Richard's great love and constant companion was his wife, Greta, his soul mate for 72 years. Greta was an accomplished painter and tour de force in her own right, and the one who could manage to get Richard's nose out of a book. Richard and Greta were kindred spirits, thriving on intellectual pursuits and banter, a love of art, culture, and travel, and especially their abiding love for their children, Wynne Weingarden, Laura Greenfield, Robert Greenfield with his wife Karen Greenfield, and William Greenfield, and their grandchildren, Jennifer Oriel, Hannah Greenfield, Miles Greenfield, Coco Greenfield, Davis Arney, and Galen Arney. Greta's death preceded her husband's by 9 months, and this immense loss colored his final days. We imagine him still, teaching by example the virtues that guided his life and became his legacy: humility, tolerance, compassion, and wisdom. And that ultimately "love is all". "What history truly teaches us is that in the end, what matters most is the capacity to love, the depths of your love, and the quality of the connections you're able to cultivate? ? Nothing else really matters". Richard Greenfield, August 2022