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Richard Nash Obituary
68, died peacefully in his sleep of a heart attack Sunday, November 2, 2014.
He was the son of Louisville natives Richard Hafford Nash Sr. and Frances Reynolds Nash, who died October 13, 2014.
In 1964, he graduated from Atherton High School. Although Atherton's record that year was 3-7, he was nevertheless voted all city quarterback and led Atherton to its first ever defeat of rival school Trinity.
In 1968, he graduated from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and numerous other honorary and social organizations. He excelled, graduating cum laude. At Washington and Lee, he served as student body president and had the extremely rare distinction of serving on the Executive Committee of the 150 year old Honor System all four years.
He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1971 and joined his family's law practice at Nash, Gildersleeve, and Nash. Throughout his career, he had a passion for and pride in his calling as an attorney.
In July of 1975, he was appointed Chief Judge of Jefferson County Juvenile Court. He returned to law, where he represented the Housing Authority of Louisville and myriad other clients as a trial lawyer and mediator. His son joined him in practice before he retired from Nash, Stoess, and Chauvin in 2008.
Richard particularly enjoyed coaching the Mock Trial Team at Louisville Collegiate School from 1997-2008. He mentored and influenced many young students to pursue law studies and remained in touch with many of them.
He was widely acknowledged as an outstanding and highly honorable attorney. The Louisville Bar Association named him Family Law Practitioner of the Year in 2009.
Every day of his married life, Richard had a deep abiding love and pride for his wife and his children, and they for him. He enjoyed his friends and any opportunity for convivial celebration with them.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, longtime Louisville Collegiate School teacher Mary Rodes Nash; his son Richard H. Nash III (Ashley), a trial lawyer; two daughters Sarah Nash Bumpas (Alex), a Resource Teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools, and Rodes Nash Bazzel (Frank), Merchandising Director for The Home Depot; his brother Tom Nash (Lisa); his cousins Alanna Nash and Gale Snyder; and five grandchildren, Mary May Nash, Richard Rodes Nash, Frances Johnson Bumpas, Nash Bledsoe Bazzel and Martha Rodes Bazzel.
The memorial service will be held at 11 am Friday, November 7, 2014 at Douglass Boulevard Christian Church, 2005 Douglass Blvd., with burial in Cave Hill Cemetery. The family will receive guests at the church at 10 a.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Douglass Boulevard Christian Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Nash
Graddy Johnson
March 30, 2015
A Renaissance man of deep humility, skill, integrity and compassion, Richard involved himself in matters for the good of others. His beautiful wife, Mary, and all their family, were the perfect complement; and he was as proud of them as they were of him. Rest in peace, dear man and friend. With love,
Robin Black
November 9, 2014
Dear Mary, Rhodes, Sarah and Richard,
I am so sad to hear this. You are all in my prayers. Miss and love you all.
Rita & Tania Wales
November 7, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your Family Richard III.
Rita Wales
November 7, 2014
Our thought and prayers are with your and your Family Richard III. Rita & Tania Wales Famiy
November 7, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Richard. Rita & Tania Wales Family
Trey Armstrong
November 7, 2014
A very warm and welcoming individual. Richard will surely be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Nell Glass
November 6, 2014
The Nash family has lost another great one. I am so sorry to hear of Richard's death. Heaven holds more and more of our treasures.
Don Blackburn
November 6, 2014
I was very sad to hear about Richard's passing. A really fine person who I knew from probably the first grade. My sympathies to his entire family.
November 6, 2014
A distinguished life well lived by a true Washington & Lee gentleman. Proud to have been his classmate.
Kaz Herchold W&L'68
Ann Wells
November 6, 2014
Mary, We are so sorry to be gone and not be there to express our condolences to you. Eleanor is with us and cried when she heard the news. El expressed how much Richard had meant to her during her Mock Trial experiences and all the post cards he used to send everyone. I believe those were her favorite experiences of high school. He will truly be missed by all. Fondly, Darrell and Ann
November 6, 2014
Mary, we are saddened to hear that we have lost Richard. We are so appreciative of the time he spent mentoring the Mock Trial team and serving as such a great influence for so many students. We are all grateful to have known him and are sorry for your loss. Jill Force and Pat, Elliot and Drew Mattingly
November 6, 2014
Ms.Nash I've known Jr every since I was young.im61,there was never a better person to know.he always meets you with a smile! Heaven just got another angel. Eddie
Jewell Young
November 5, 2014
I am so sorry to hear about Richard passing away. Your family was always so nice to be with when we were traveling together on trips with the local builders in Louisville. I will be praying for you Mary and your family to help you through this very difficult time. May God hold you gently in His hands. May Richard Reat in Peace. God bless you.
Jane Fryer
November 5, 2014
Dearest Mary,
So many memories of Richard. Particularly his smile, and the way he looked at you. It was obvious from the beginning that a great love had arrived in your precious life. With great love,
Jane
Charlene Atcher Giesinger
November 5, 2014
Richard was among the brightest and very best, of our AHS class of '64. His life was truly an inspiration to all who met him! My condolences and sympathy to his family. May God
continue to bless you and watch over you, in all the days ahead.
November 5, 2014
Mary, We are so sorry for your loss. I know you were a wonderful wife to Richard, Jr. He had so many accomplishments & a wonderful career.
His fall on the ice must have been so hard for you. We were close friends of Richard,Sr & Frances & went on a great boating adventure to Bimini when we were younger. Scottie Theiss
November 5, 2014
Tommy, We are so sorry that you have another loss. Our prayers are with you. Scottie Theiss, Anne, ellen, Marsha, and John
Susan Bartlett
November 5, 2014
Dearest Mary, What a shock to hear of Richard's death. I am so sad for you and wish I could be there to hug you in person. Please know you are in my heart and my prayers during this difficult time. Much, much love, Susan
Cheryl Bensing
November 5, 2014
Our most heartfelt sympathies to you all. Mr. Nash, as I and my daughters knew him through his work with the LCS Mock Trial Team, was unfailingly generous, encouraging, and insightful. Both Tara and Kayla hold him in the highest regard as a result of the relationship he built with them. They still have postcards he sent to them from his travels. Kayla took his encouragement with her all the way through her graduation from NYU School of Law this past May -magna cum laude just like Mr. Nash.
We thank you, Mr. Nash, for all you gave to your family, community and to the young people in whom you invested. You made a difference. Louisville will miss your presence and positive influence. God bless. ~ The Bensings
van young
November 5, 2014
words cannot express my sadness upon learing of richard's passing. i was a year ahead of him at atherton and am afraid to say i was responsible for his ankle injury his junior year. he liked to remind me of that and the fact i did visit him in the hospital..we also competed when i attended centre. a good friend, a really good lawyer and i know he was a truly good person. he will be missed.
Susie Rodes
November 5, 2014
Always one of my very favorite people, he will be so missed by all who had the pleasure to know him....hugs and prayers to all his family and his multitude of longtime friends, Susie
Stew Baker
November 5, 2014
I will miss him.
November 5, 2014
Richard and family,
So sorry to hear of your father's passing. I never knew your father but working with you for the time that I did I came to understand what a well respected and good man that he was. Keeping you and yours in prayer.
Saedra Jennings
November 5, 2014
DEAR MARY AND FAMILY,
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU FROM FLORIDA WHERE WE HAVE RECENTLY RETURNED. MAY THE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES YOU HOLD IN YOUR HEARTS SUSTAIN YOU IN THE DAYS AHEAD. BILL AND BETTY WHITAKER
Mark & Betsy Prussian
November 5, 2014
Mary, our daughter found her voice as a public speaker and developed her quick wit through mock trail and, especially,the coaching provided by Richard. Thank you so much for encouraging Richard to share his Saturday mornings with Collegiate. His time spent, and his postcards, were so precious to our family. May you find peace and contentment in knowing he helped so many young people.
John Hall
November 5, 2014
Richard, you are alive in all our hearts.
November 5, 2014
A light for you Richard, to light your way!
November 5, 2014
You are so missed Richard by your family and friends, but it's time to rest now. We all send our love and prayers to you so rest in peace, untill we meet again.
Leonard and Sandie Stevens
Bonita Marcum
November 5, 2014
Richard was a true gentleman and one of most respected lawyers I ever knew. He was always kind and never had a harsh word for a clerk, prosecutor or a judge. Never heard him raise his voice to anyone. He will be missed by all.RIP Richard!
Molly and Tib Holland
November 5, 2014
Thinking of you during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ellen Zapp
November 5, 2014
I am deeply saddened to lose a dear family friend and an outstanding attorney who represented me well. I always held Richard in the highest regard! Sending my sympathy to the entire Nash family.
Ellen Zapp
Gigi Stewart Bailey
November 5, 2014
Dearest Mary...I am so very sorry for your loss. Even though we have not seen each other in so many years, I often think of you and am glad we can sort of keep up through Facebook, which is where I head about Richard. I can remember so well when you all were dating and I always thought the world of him. My heart is heavy as I know you are going through such a tough time. Just know my love, prayers & sympathy are with you, now & always...Gigi
November 4, 2014
allston
Frank Mascagni III
November 4, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dick was a good man and always a pleasure to practice cases with. A good lawyer, well respected by all in the legal field. I will miss his wit and charm.
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