Richard Eugene Bohn

A treasured son, brother, uncle and friend was lost on Sept. 28, 2023, with the passing of Richard Eugene Bohn after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Richard (aka Rich, Rick, Ricky, Dickster, Wishbone, Chicago or Space) was truly unique and truly loved. As boxes of kept letters, photographs and ticket stubs attest, Rich cherished his family, friends and colleagues, and he will be greatly missed.

The second son of Egon and Esther Bohn, Rich was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 12, 1953. Following Egon's promotions at Beatrice Foods, the family moved first to Beloit, Wis., where another brother was born, followed by a move to Niles, Ill., and the addition of three sisters.

Rich met lifelong friends at St. Mary of the Woods School in Chicago. He completed high school at St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wis., where he was an all-around excellent student, athlete and musician, graduating in 1972 as the class poet. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Growing up in the Midwest, Rich made the unusual decision when he was young to study marine biology. When his family departed for an international assignment in Brussels, Belgium, Rich headed to Oregon State University. Summers were spent in Europe cultivating his life-long passion for travel and food exploration. Rich never met something sweet or chocolate he didn't love. The true "foodie" of the family, he introduced us to good coffee, Chinatowns everywhere, smoked seafood, red beans and rice, stuffed ham, and, of course, crab and oysters. For years, he was a loyal attendee of the Ark Restaurant's annual garlic fest in Nahcotta, Wash.

After college, Rich took his first job as a research biologist at an oyster hatchery while completing his master's degree in fisheries at the University of Washington. A true collaborator, Rich was passionate about improving communication between commercial operators and the scientific community. In 1985, he moved to the East Coast to share advancements in oyster hatching. Until he retired in 2020, Rich was a "professor" to hatcheries and fisheries on the Chesapeake Bay through the College of William and Mary and the University of Maryland cooperative extension programs, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where he spent 25 years. Rich published numerous articles, participated in state and national committees and conferences, and held other positions through the years, including executive director of the U.S. Trout Farmers Association and editor or co-editor of various aquaculture publications.

Rich was a peacemaker, had a curious mind, and loved to learn about other cultures and perspectives. For over 20 years, he was a supporter and associate of the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, completing training in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. In 2012, the Maryland DNR awarded Rich the Martin Luther King Jr. Drumroll for Justice award, recognizing his outstanding delivery of mediation services and leadership in developing workforce mediation programs.

Rich always looked for ways to connect with people and will be remembered for his ability to find humor in everything. He attended hundreds of baseball, basketball and football games with friends and conferences with colleagues, and amassed a collection of almost 40,000 comic books. He loved fishing, traveling, eating, action movies, sci-fi, Marvel and Pokémon, but it didn't matter what he did as long as he could do it with someone he loved. He will be truly missed.

Rich was predeceased by his father, Egon Bohn, and brother, Alfred Bohn, and is survived by his mother, Esther Bohn; his siblings, Robert (Jan) Bohn, Helen Bohn, Mary (Eric) Anderson, and Barbara Bohn; and his nephews, Andrew (Michele) Bohn, Remington Bohn, Alexander Bohn, K. Gunnar (Katelyn) Anderson, and Daniel Anderson.

Please consider making a donation in memory of Rich to the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, a nonprofit in Greenbelt, MD, that Rich supported and valued.

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=TLKATPVDBAS66

For more information about the Center, visit www.natlctr4adr.org