Richard "Rich" Blatchly

Richard "Rich" Blatchly, aged 69, passed away peacefully on September 7th, 2024, in Boston, MA after a hard fight through illness. Born on January 31st, 1955, in Groton, NY, Rich spent his formative years between his hometown and the family's cottage on Owasco Lake. After falling in love with the sciences, Rich went on to major in chemistry at Williams College and completed a PhD in chemistry at Columbia University. Rich continued to share his passion for science through teaching organic chemistry at Williams College and Keene State College. While teaching subject matter that inspires fear in the hearts of most people, Rich continuously strove to keep his lessons accessible and even wrote two textbooks in the process. Most importantly, chemistry brought Rich to his wife Pat O'Hara, meeting in graduate school and connecting over everything from the thermodynamics of a rubber band to a lifelong focus on the chemistry of olive oil that allowed them to travel the world, foster deep friendships and eat delicious food together.

Equally consistent throughout his life was a love for adventure. Rich grew up partaking in every water sport imaginable and even made up a few of his own. Throughout his adult life, he maintained a love for the outdoors; cycling, skiing, and boating his way through life. His favorite thing in the world was to introduce family and friends to the family's cottage on "The Lake", where he was the first to take a running leap into the water, drive a boat for waterskiing, or build up the fire for s'mores.

Rich is survived by his beloved wife, Pat O'Hara, their daughters Sarah and Becca Blatchly, bonus daughters Julia LeBouvier and Shannon McCrocklin, brother Stephen Blatchly and sister Barbara Deering.

A service to celebrate Rich's life will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Hadley, MA on Saturday, September 14th at 11am. The service will also be available by Zoom using the following link: https://zoom.us/j/91728348035?pwd=ytNVB1sEHK2OgbGwbqyHC8ynNSxcuS.1

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Rich can be made to World Central Kitchen, Dakin Humane Society, or the Wesley United Methodist Church music program. These organizations reflect causes that were dear to him and brought him joy throughout his life.

We remember Rich in death as we did in life: witty, generous, inventive, humble and incredibly kind. We hope those who love him embrace those traits and carry them forward in their everyday lives, using this as a reason to tell that dad joke, build the Adirondack chair yourself, help someone in need, or take the first leap into the water. We know Rich will be watching in approval.