Richard Gordon Geldard

Dr. Richard Gordon Geldard, 88, writer and professor, passed away peacefully in his Kerhonkson, NY home on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

At his request, no service will be held.

Born on April 27, 1935 in Springfield, MA. to Walter and Maude Geldard, Richard Geldard was a graduate of Bowdoin College, The Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College and Stanford University, where he earned his doctorate in Dramatic Literature and Classics. He had also studied at St. John's College, Oxford and was a Visiting Fellow at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece.

He taught English and philosophy at both the secondary, undergraduate and graduate levels. At the graduate levels he was a member of the faculty at the Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpenteria, California, where he taught the Greek Mystery Religions. Prior to that he taught Greek Philosophy and The Science of Mind at Yeshiva College in New York. Dr Geldard was also a professor of philosophy at the University of Philosophical Research in the Online Masters Degree Program. In addition to his teaching duties, he also served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Geldard was the author of fifteen books, including studies of the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Greek philosophy and culture. He was also a frequent lecturer. In June, 2003, and September, 2003, he was a featured speaker at Faneuil Hall in Boston as part of the Emerson Bicentennial Celebrations. In June, 2005, he was the Keynote speaker at the re-instatement of the Delphic Games in Delphi, Greece.

Richard is survived by his wife, Astrid Fitzgerald, daughters Sally Geldard-Hewes and Jennifer Geldard and their spouses, Step-son Kent Fitzgerald and his spouse, and 2 grandchildren, Catelyn Fitzgerald and Maxwell Hooven. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Gordon Geldard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.