Richard Alsfeld Sr.

Dr. Richard W. Alsfeld, Sr.

July 30, 1933 – November 13, 2025

Richard W. Alsfeld, 92, a resident of Pomfret, CT, passed away at Day Kimball Hospital after a brief illness.

Richard was born in Providence, RI to the late Walter E. and Lovell (Haines) Alsfeld. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Lou O'Neill.

Richard entered military service in 1952, during the Korean war. He worked as a radio communications specialist and became an expert in morse code and transcribing North Korean radio messages.

Upon the completion of his service, Richard returned to the US, enrolled in and received his bachelor's degree from Providence College. He continued his academic studies at Brown University, receiving his PhD in Political Science in 1970.

Dr. Alsfeld worked for over 40 years as a professor of political science at Providence College, retiring in 1997.

Dr. Alsfeld was a marathon runner and a competitive cyclist. Richard was very proud that he was able to complete the Boston marathon in under three hours. Additionally, he enjoyed hiking, and weightlifting. In his extra time, he was a devout reader, preferring books about American History dealing with the early days of the Republic, as well as the history of religion and political philosophy. Since retirement, he enjoyed travel, outdoor activities, studying and reading. He and his wife Sigrid rescued and trained several dogs.

In addition to his wife, Sigrid Nordlund of Pomfret, CT, Richard is survived by his first wife Elaine Alsfeld and their three children, Patricia McCarthy and her partner Rui Dias of E. Providence, RI, Richard W. Alsfeld, Jr. and his wife Susan of Saunderstown, RI, and Kristin Waterman and her husband Robert of Johnston, RI; and his two grandchildren, Brooke Alsfeld and her husband Cal Meachem of Norwalk, CT and Sydney Alsfeld of Saunderstown, RI.

A memorial with Military Funeral Honors will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail, Exeter, RI 02822. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 062650. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.