James R. Richart

James "Jim" or "Jamie" Robert Richart passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 16, 1943, in Somerville, New Jersey, Jim lived there for the majority of his life-- a town and community he deeply loved, even after moving to Bound Brook in 2022. His life was marked by warmth, integrity, and quiet strength.
Jim attended Blair Academy and later graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in accounting. He spent the majority of his professional career at Johnson & Johnson, where he retired after 24 years. Following his time there, he worked for a startup company based in New Jersey and California called Cardio Technologies Inc. In the later part of his career, Jim brought his strengths to the Arc of Somerset County, a disability rights organization, where he served as Director of Finance. Even after retiring from his position, he remained actively involved with the Arc by serving on the finance committee, always generous in sharing his financial and accounting expertise wherever it was needed. His commitment to service extended well beyond his professional life-- he generously gave his time to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, People Care, and several local churches. Jim's life was marked by compassion, humility, and a steadfast desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
In 2003, Jim married the love of his life, Deirdre, with whom he shared over two decades of partnership, laughter, and unconditional love. As a devoted husband, he brought steadiness, thoughtfulness, and affection into their everyday life together. Jim was a calm and rational presence-- a true anchor in every sense-- always ready with sound advice and a grounded perspective. His wisdom was a constant source of support and comfort, not only to Deirdre but to all who knew him.
Jim was a devoted and deeply loving father to his children, Jon, Annie, and Jon's wife, Liz. To describe the kind of father he was is almost impossible; he was the steady heartbeat of the family, the foundation upon which so much was built. He fiercely supported his children's individual paths, always encouraging them to pursue their dreams and embrace who they truly are. Jim was a constant source of wisdom, with an answer for every question and a calm presence in every storm. When Jon, Annie, or Liz stumbled, he didn't judge or criticize-- he simply extended a hand, picked them up, and helped them find a way forward. His pride in them was limitless and his love was steady, unconditional, and endlessly inspiring.
Jim was also a devoted and proud grandfather to Joe, Libby, and Sophie, who affectionately called him "Pops" or "Popsy". His pride in who they are is impossible to overstate. To Jim, his grandchildren were nothing short of remarkable. He celebrated every milestone and made sure they knew how deeply he believed in them. Being their grandfather was one of the greatest joys in his life; a role he embraced with tenderness, humor, and an unshakable sense of devotion.
Jim was a spiritual man with deep rooted history at St. John's Episcopal Church in Somerville. During the pandemic, he discovered Christ Church Greenwich in Greenwich, Connecticut through their Zoom services and was drawn to their intellectual depth, forward-thinking values, and all-accepting spirit. What began as virtual attendance soon grew into meaningful involvement and regular in-person mass attendance. Jim became an active member of the church community, participating in prayer groups and spiritual discussions. He embraced his faith with sincerity and purpose, grounding it in principles of equity, compassion, and justice. He strongly believed in equality for all people, particularly women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. For Jim, his faith was not only a source of comfort but also a call to action. His faith was a guiding light that inspired him to stay engaged with the world's current events and advocate for the dignity of every individual.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Deirdre Kramer, and his faithful dog, Mikey. He leaves behind his children, Jon Richart and his wife Liz Richart, Annie Callahan, and his son-in-law Brian Callahan. He was the proud grandfather of Joe Callahan and his wife Sandra Callahan, Libby Callahan, and Sophie Callahan and her partner Grace Treanor. His legacy of love, steadiness, and strength lives on in each of them.
Jim is predeceased by his father Dr. Theodore Frederick Richart, his mother Margaret Richart, his sister Joan Richart, and his brother David Richart.
An interment will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 24th at the New Cemetery of Somerville, located at 192 South Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. A private celebration of life will follow, with close family and friends gathering to honor his memory.
Donations in Jim's name may be made to one of the following charitable organizations: The Arc of Somerset County (https://www.thearcofsomerset.org/donate/edonate.html), Meals on Wheels of New Brunswick (https://mowgnb.org/donate/), or PBS Channel 13 (https://www.thirteen.org/support/contribute/thank-you/?ms=pbs).