Richard Desmond O'Brien

Richard Desmond O'Brien It is with the heaviest of hearts we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Richard Desmond O'Brien, 93, of Framingham, MA.

Born May 29, 1929, in Sydenham, England to Joseph Andrew O'Brien and Louise Stevens O'Brien, he attended elementary school in Croyden. During World War II, he lived in London with his mother, brother; Terrence, and sister; Deidre, while his father worked abroad. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Reading College in the UK, where he was a member of the Rowing Club, he emigrated to Canada in 1950 to attend the University of Western Ontario for his Ph.D. in Chemistry (1954) where he also received a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in the General Arts (1956). He was a National Research Council Fellow, Babraham, Cambridge (1956-57).

After receiving his doctorate, he became the Richard J. Schwartz Professor of Biology and Society at Cornell University, where he taught from 1960-78. During his time at Cornell, he created and chaired the Department of Biochemistry and was instrumental in the formation of the Section of Neurobiology and Behavior. His research received numerous awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship (1967-68) at the University of Naples, Italy and the American Chemical Society International Award for Pesticide Chemistry (1971). He was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He served on the NIH Study Section on Toxicology (1964-69).

Throughout his scientific career, he authored over 160 journal articles and six books, including Life on Earth (1973) and The Receptors: A Comprehensive Treatise (1979). He was the founder and editor of Pesticide, Biochemistry, and Physiology (1965). He was a distinguished lecturer at a number of major research institutions, including Oregon State University, Texas A&M, and was the U.S. Chair, Fifth U.S.-Japan Cooperative Science Program (1969). He served as chair of the Environmental Protection Agency Expert Committee on Aldrin and Dieldrin (1971-72).

In 1978, he left Cornell to become Provost at the University of Rochester. Continuing his administrative accomplishments, in 1984, he was hired as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass). Along with Chancellor Joseph Duffey, he reshaped many campus programs in the face of budgetary cutbacks, maintaining the traditions of excellence on the flagship UMass campus. In 1991, he was appointed Chancellor. Some of his proudest administrative achievements included his role in hiring John Calipari as head coach of the UMass men's basketball team, building the UMass Minuteman Marching Band program, and reinstating the Division I Men's hockey program. During his tenure, he established awards in Multiculturalism, and oversaw the opening of the William D. Mullins Memorial Center and Ice Rink.

In 1993, after stepping down from his position as Chancellor position, he became Chair of the Biochemistry Department at UMass, where he was able to return to his love of teaching, developing several courses to expand the undergraduate program. In 2000, he received the College Outstanding Teacher Award.

Upon his retirement in 2000, he embarked upon a new phase of his career as a docent and lecturer at the Springfield Art Museum. Developing original lectures and slide presentations, he not only taught at the Museum, but regularly shared his love of art with inmates at Ludlow Women's Prison. He also served as the Chair of the Amherst Public Art Commission.

In 2017, he left his adored home and neighborhood in Amherst of 34 years to move to Framingham, MA where he could be closer to his immediate and extended family. During these years he enjoyed weekly Scrabble and chess games with friends, frequenting the gym, visiting museums, and spending time with his cherished children and grandchildren. A lifelong learner, he took many classes and attended lectures about the arts through adult education programs.

Richard is survived by his wife of 41 years, Susan Whitbourne O'Brien of Framingham, MA; son Ian O'Brien and wife Melissa of Beacon, NY; daughter Stacey Whitbourne Gleason, her husband Erik and their children Theodore and Scarlett of Framingham, MA; and daughter Jennifer Louise O'Brien, her wife, Taylor, and their children Logan and Fallon, of Needham, MA. He was very close to his nephew and namesake, Richard (Rick) Andrew Desmond O'Brien. He is also survived by many extended family and friends, as well as his beloved cat, Juno.

In equal measure to his passion for the natural sciences was his passion for the arts. He especially enjoyed classical music, opera and his collection of Japanese wood block prints. While living in London, Ontario, he acted in several Shakespeare productions, and always treasured his turn as Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost. In 1953 he attended the inaugural season of the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada. For years thereafter, he and his family would make annual trips to the festival to enjoy works from the Shakespearean canon and experience the world-famous local cuisine. Over the years he saw dozens of Broadway musicals and plays, including the original Broadway casts of Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, the Producers, and Hamilton. In his last year, unable to attend the theater, his wife and daughters entertained him by performing excerpts from his favorite Broadway hits.

Among his many varied interests included crew, tennis, billiards, and riding his motorcycle in the back roads of Western MA. A voracious reader, he and his wife made a weekly ritual of completing the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle together. Even after leaving UMass, he continued to be an enthusiastic fan and developed a keen interest in local sports teams, especially the New England Patriots. He was an avid traveler, having explored more than 100 countries around the world, and taking many memorable trips with his family over the years.

During his remarkable life spanning nearly 94 years, Richard's brilliant mind, kindness, and curiosity were an inspiration to all who had the good fortune of knowing him. Even those who did not were touched by his many significant contributions to education, science, and the arts.

To honor and recognize Richard's life, a memorial celebration will take place on June 2, 2023, at 2PM at Cushing Memorial Chapel, 60 Dudley Road, Framingham MA 01702. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the arts by making a commemorative gift to the Stratford Festival in Canada or public education with a gift to the University of Massachusetts Commonwealth Honors College.