Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Richard King Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Cordell Dickerson
June 13, 2025
I first met Dr King at the first Melanin Conference in 1987. He said he had a nephew whose name was also Cordell. His work propelled me to the next level of study and knowledge. I actually visited him at his home in North Carolina where we spoke extensively on many issues. He was my mentor in Melanic Study. I introduced him at the 3rd Melanin Conference in Washington DC at Howard University. It was a great honor for me. The utterance from KMT says: "To speak the names of the ancestors is to cause them to live again. Do not hesitate to speak his name. Members don't you get Weary now....!!!!
Eugene Bell
February 24, 2024
What a great spirit hope to meet again in the after life peace and paradise
Professor Stephen C Finley, PhD
January 31, 2021
I used to see Dr. King's books on melanin, the pineal gland, and blackness in black book stores in Los Angeles and elsewhere in Southern California. I was always interested, but I never knew how relevant his work would be until I started researching for a book on Robert T. Browne, whose ideas in The Mystery of Space (1919) intersected Dr. King's. My friend, Dr. Marques Redd suggested that I explore King's scholarship. I remain grateful for him and his work, and I am sorry that we never met.
Eugene C Bell
November 26, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Moore Greg
March 10, 2020
My condolences to Dr King's loved ones. I appreciated his frankness, honesty, and desire to help struggling individuals improve, to get a better quality of life. I met Dr King during a time of great darkness in my life, I time that I thoougt I might never find my way out of. That was around 22, 23 years ago. While my problems were out of reach of the good Doctor's areas of expertise, he nevertheless advised me as best he could, and showed a concern for me that I recognized, and cherish to this day. You are missed, Dr. King. I'm honored to have addressed life with you. You bore good fruit
Richard, Alfreda & Kent - San Francisco 1974
Alfreda Masters
April 17, 2019
My Dear Richard,
Thank you for giving me the Love of My Life, our beautiful daughter (and your first child), Kent Ayana Masters King. I think of you still and our time together in San Francisco on Ord Court. I have always admired the way you loved and cared for your family and people. The way you took care of your brother, Ivory, your mother, Camille, and your daughter, Kent, was commendable. Your sense of responsibility was awesome. Your mind brilliant. Your heart resounding. Your energy and drive never ending. Through hard times and good you persevered. Your life on earth made a positive impact on the lives of many others. Thank you, again, for giving and caring!
I still have the movie script we wrote together that was before its time. Now that "Black Panther" made such a big hit, maybe its time has come. I hope that one day it will add to your legacy. (Smile)
Sandiata Asenso
January 9, 2018
Elder KING in name and stature you continue to influence and enlighten and strengthen the youth who continue to consult you as an ancestor through your works and your ever present presence amongst us.
Sallam
Barbara Patterson
April 5, 2017
Truly a visionary, Dr. King's scholarship has advanced our Black community tremendously in understanding the basis of our power, energy, genius and uniqueness as the planet's first people.
Jeff Lewis
September 3, 2015
I cannot believe he's gone.. A great great man.. I was introduced to him when in college in Southern California in the 80's which further fueled my studies into Melanin and Consciousness.. He will be missed.
Yusef Shakur
August 12, 2015
You are loved and deeply appreciated for the enLIGHTenment you brought and bequeathed us.
Rahwae Shuman
August 11, 2015
I was shocked and greatly saddened to learn of Dr. King"s untimely death. I was his lab assistant and mentee at San Francisco State where he taught a course called Black Involvement in Scientific Development. He was a great man, scholar, human being, healer, mentor, and friend. May he rest in peace.
LATANIA Williams
December 15, 2014
My heart goes out to the King family.I'am thankful for his life.Dr.King were a wonderful Doctor.He just didn't write the prescription.He listen to each of his patients.Sometimes Dr.King didn't even take a lunch.He always kept a smile on his face.If you needed a ear Dr.King were always there to listen and give advice.Dr.King were very spiritual man.I'am honor I got to know Dr.King.He will be miss.His legacy live on.R.I.P
Rachel Smith
November 10, 2014
May God bless your soul and that you're at the feet of the Master in heaven.
Rachel Hightower Smith
November 10, 2014
I looked on FB to tell him about my mom MARILYN PHILLIPS RENGSTORFF who was one of his long time patients along with my ex-husband in SF. I must have spoken to him shortly before his death what a shock! He will surely be missed. He was brilliant and a great person we loved Dr.King. God bless your family.
Yusef Shakur
July 16, 2014
You touched many of us incarcerated within the dungeons of the prison industrial complex through your book, The African Origin of Biological Psychiatry transforming criminal minds to critical-enlightened minds. I was one of them. We held study-groups found purpose and regeneration in your words. I was mentored and met you through by Dr. Haffar. In behalf of those who deeply benefitted from your labor, "Thank you for the liberating light."
Shannon Glenn-Phy
April 12, 2014
On behalf of the Thornhill family: Candy, Annabelle, Paul, Lelia, Tracy and John. We would like to express our deepest sympathies on Richard's passing. We grew up together and shared many events as our mothers were close friends.
We are praying for the family and friends.
Roland Jefferson, MD
March 13, 2014
Rest in peace, colleague.
ANGEL
March 8, 2014
To be perfectly honest I am not quite sure how to do this but I want to contribute to this act of love in memory of Dr. Richard King. I met him in a unlikely and surprising way considering I already knew his daughter Kent for years. He was giving a lecture at a community meeting I attended and we took this picture. I could see that he was a very curious man who sought knowledge and answers. He has a keen eye for magic and heart that loved his people. I pray that peace be with him and his children and loved ones.
March 7, 2014
Richard you will be greatly missed but also, greatly treasured..I have many good memories..great dinners in San Francisco & lets not forget the trip to Hawaii...you left behind 2 great men...my nephews Khadi & Knef King. Im sure they will honor your legacy in the years to come..Love Karen Grayson-Taylor.
Rev. Crystal Bujol
March 6, 2014
He was one of my Aquarian Spiritual Center teachers, opening my eyes and thoughts to the power and value of melanin, the pineal gland, and the carbon atom! He promised to get an answer to a question I asked him back in 1980. Whenever we met, he would say, "I am still researching that question!" So much time passed that one day at Krst Unity, around 2004, he asked me, "What was the question you asked?" I replied, "It has been so long, I don't remember!" I will miss the many times I would think about him and hoped to one day get his answer. Most of all, I will always remember that he gave me many other answers that have helped me be a better student of African and African American history and her-story. Goddess bless his family.
Angel King Johnson
March 6, 2014
The King family in New Orleans, Louisiana would like to express our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Kent King and family. God bless you and keep you in his care. We have always admired and been proud of our cousin Dr. Richard King and his beautiful family.
Ashaka
March 3, 2014
Thank you and we will miss you!
Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results
Make a Donation
in Richard King's name
How to support Richard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Richard King's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
