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Richard Faust Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Faust
Sponsored by Shelley Saltzman, an ALP PAL.
Cheryl Evans
November 20, 2005
I just heard the news of Richard's passing this weekend. I think I can speak for many of us at Caffe Taci when I say that he brought such warmth and enthusiasm to opera nights. Richard was often the first of the regular patrons I would see each week when I showed up to sing. The second he saw me, he would jump up with a hearty hello and give me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. I'm so glad to have known him and will treasure the memory of the times we would chat at the bar of Taci. What an amazing man. His presence in our lives was a true gift.
Sylvan Feldstein
September 21, 2005
Richard was a wordsmith who freely shared his wisdom and knowledge.His observations of the human condition, our society and our mass dummed-down sports and television cultures were educational and profound.When they made Richard, they threw away the mold and I am very lucky to have known him. I will truly miss him as a friend and wise observer of what was around him.
Shelley Saltzman
September 20, 2005
A man of intellect and integrity
Erudite, eloquent and elegant
An archivist and in a way an anarchist
Wise, witty, and wonderful –
Genuinely generous
Always giving
Always going
Now gone
John Een
September 20, 2005
The Silent Weekend: In Memory of Dick Faust
The ALP is a lonely place on this sunny September Saturday. For once, as I pushed open the back-office door, the familiar clank elicited only silence. No cheery “Hello!” rang out to greet me; no face emerged from behind the partitions. As if those August reports might somehow have been mistaken, I found myself drawn to the cubby that had become his weekend abode in recent years. But there was no one: only the huge, light-filled window, framed by his cactus plants in stark silhouette.
The idle chatter that had launched and eased so many weekends of work echoed now, if only in memory. I could still hear him but dimly, describing with enthusiasm the glories of Hanoi and Dubrovnik, sputtering with indignation over Reagan’s affronts and Clinton’s peccadilloes, recounting with nostalgia the lore of Morningside Heights—from the expulsion of long-haired radicals from the precincts of Hamilton Hall to the arrival of peregrine falcons in the belfries of Riverside Church. What treasures had been kept alive in that exquisite, ever-inquisitive mind!
As I stared at his silent cubby and pondered a life once come and now gone, my gaze fell on a modest, pale-blue post-it note attached to one of the cactus pots that he had been so concerned about losing. In frail capital letters was written, “DO NOT TAKE. PROPERTY OF R.L. FAUST. THANKS.” In fact, Dick, you should never have worried about any of us taking a thing. For, at the end of the day, it is we who thank you for having given us so much.
Polly Merdinger
September 13, 2005
The last time I saw Dick -- I guess it was sometime in the spring -- I remember thinking that he looked frail, and that was the first time I remember ever thinking to myself about his mortality. And then I immediately put the thought out of my mind, because it seemed impossible for Dick not to be around at the ALP, even if his visits were becoming more sporadic. Of course when I asked him how he was, he said "Just fine", in that reassuring way that is such a relief to hear, even if you suspect that it isn't completely true.
Dick and I were fellow New York Times crossword lovers. Many weekends, when I was stumped by a clue from the Saturday or Sunday puzzle, I looked forward to coming in to the office early on Monday morning to confer with Dick, my crossword guru. When I arrived, Dick would usually be sitting at the round table in the middle of the office, with the Monday puzzle already completed, in red ink, as was his custom. Dick always knew the words that I was seeking, no matter how obscure or ridiculous. This was just one of many areas in which Dick amazed me with the incredible breadth of his knowledge and his skill with words and word play. His take on this? « Oh, when you’ve been doing the crossword for as long as I have… » Looking back now, I realize that this was one of Dick’s greatest gifts – he could teach without making you feel less for what you didn’t know. How his students must have appreciated this.
The day we learned of Dick's passing, Ricky and I went out and drank a toast to Dick, who Ricky also fondly remembers for, among other things, his incredible sweetness to our children -- and all the ALP children. Who can forget how Dick used to play Santa for them every year at our holiday parties? (It's scary to think how long ago that was!) But I also remember the time Ricky came to his first ALP party with me, which is very much like bringing your boyfriend to meet your parents for the first time. At some point, I saw him standing in a corner with Dick, deep in conversation, and I thought what a sweetheart Dick was to seek Ricky out and try to get to know him and make him feel comfortable. Not everyone takes the time to do things like that, but Dick always did.
I will miss Dick’s generosity - especially in little things, like paying for our water cooler, and the way he used to walk into each person’s cubby to offer them some of his cashew nuts. I’ll miss the delicious smoked salmon he brought to our parties and I know we will all miss his reminders about daylight savings time, Election Day, and the Thanksgiving parade. I’ll miss the newspaper articles Dick posted on the xerox machine whenever he spotted what he considered an egregious grammatical error. I’ll miss his travel stories. I’ll miss his wit. But most of all, I will miss seeing those New York Times crossword puzzles, completed in red ink, sitting on the table when I come in to work in the morning.
My heartfelt condolences to Dick’s family and all who loved him. May you be comforted by your wonderful memories of this dear man.
Janet Shanks
September 12, 2005
There is no way for us to talk about Dick without recalling the emotions he brought out in so many, even though he would have hated the sentimentality and would have been embarrassed by the attention placed on him, basically a modest man, and as many have said, not just "a gentleman but also a gentle man." What Patrick said about Dick's big smile being so genuine it could ease anyone's tensions and his desire to make others comfortable are so true. I watched how time and time again (even when he was no longer officially teaching here, though as our Professor Emeritus he will always be a part of ALP), he was consistently the first to introduce himself to newcomers and ask them all about themselves in a place which frankly can be quite hard to join and initially feel at home in. But Dick really went out of his way to dispel that awkward feeling. Many part-timers have written me that Dick was the first person they met or had a real conversation with here, the first to provide new New Yorkers with 18 copies of all they could ever dream of for their first class field trip,the first to share his delightful "Sophisticated English" handouts.
Several of you also said that you would like to donate to Drs. Without Borders (MSF), and we can organize this in the fall. The group does amazing work, right now in Niger especially, and Dick gave to it in the past. Plus, I think he would like the fact that for the last several years the NYT has given the group its highest rating in ethical/socially responsible spending. Another idea I had was to plant a tree in his honor at the end of his block in R'side Park (at 112th)something that is firm , solid, and lasting, something of beauty we can cherish and look up to, just like our memories of this wonderful, exceptional human being.
Myra Yousef
September 4, 2005
Although I had only a few short years in which to know Dick, it seemed as if our paths crossed nearly every weekend. I would call out "Hello" upon my arrival and from the recesses of Room 504 would come a clear, "Hi, Myra. It's Dick."
We'd talk as he prepared his lunch or watered his plants and often discussed our mutual love of traveling. He delighted in sharing his looseleaf photo albums and we always spoke about our next trip.
I'll miss those conversations and the familiar voice that greeted me on Sundays.
Frances Boyd
August 25, 2005
We were colleagues at the American Language Program for 25 years. It seems like just the other day that he was extolling the virtues of oatmeal as he stirred himself a batch for lunch in the office. His great learning and the way he wore it so lightly inspired me. Any question, query, or doubt was a delight to him, a moment to search, to think, to remember. Although I never met members of his family, he always spoke enthusiastically of visits and trips with them. Where were the most recent photos from: Turkey, Mexico, China? As a fellow scrapbook-maker and archivist, I took a special interest in his albums. He had a tremendous influence on me, and I treasure the memories. Such humanity is not a common thing.
Judy Gilbert
August 25, 2005
Without Dick...
Who will be there to play Santa Claus to the newest generation of children?
Who will be there to tell us whether to say, “The Yankees is a team or are one?”
Who will be there to bemoan the news media's inability to use “amount” and “number' properly?
Who will scribble “d's” on all the “ice tea” signs?
Who will be there to help us plan a trip to Vietnam?
Who will be there to go with me to theatres so small they don't even have names?
Who will be there to invite me to see the works of Garcia Lorca?
Who will be there to celebrate the accomplishments of students past and present?
Who will be there to help us figure out the NPR word puzzles?
Who will be there to amaze the Turkish students with his flair for their language?
Who will be there to regale us with stories of trips to far away places?
Who will remind us about Daylight Savings Time?
Who will be our repository of knowledge on the history of Central Park, on the history of Columbia University, on the history of Morningside Heights?
Who will remind us of how Thanksgiving and Halloween began?
Who will we rant with about the injustices of the world?
Susan Cafetz
August 25, 2005
To friends and family of Dick, a truly wonderful gentleman:
A loss, a deep void- his very presence was comforting to me. He was there with that perfect answer about whatever- whoever- wherever.
He was there with photos, allowing me to vicariously travel to Turkey and Greece and..... He was there with a kind smile.
May you rest in peace, sweet man.
Carla Zoogman
August 25, 2005
Dignity. Humor. Authenticity. Kindness. Intelligence. Generosity. Common sense. Playfulness. Insight. Gentleness. Eloquence. Grace. These are what come to mind when I think of Dick. We were all blessed to have him in our lives.
Mara Waldman
August 21, 2005
Dear Family and Friends of Richard,
It was with deep sadness and a sense of loss that I heard the news of Richard's passing. Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of several evenings of conversation with him and as always, his wit, humor, insight and knowledge on subjects ranging from etymology, his milieu, to steaming vegetables, were thought provoking and stimulating. In fact, I find myself wondering if I'll see him as I do my errands in the 110th street area.
A few years ago he found copies of several of his published articles and shared them with me. He even gave me a poem, which I promised to set to music. I hope to fulfill that promise soon. We spent several afternoons doing the Sunday Times puzzle together and I'll always remember his advice to "fill in the little words first!" As I often receive jokes through the internet, I would pass them onto him. He always had an appreciate chuckle for me when I would see him, no matter how silly the joke. We even began creating coded messages to each other, using alphabet ciphers, just for fun! He seemed to appreciate my verbal skills, and enhanced my ability to employ them for communication and pleasure. His legendary travel tales, relating both the good and the not-so-good, were often hilarious, and never less than fascinating and delightful. I'm sure his spirit will be passing over his beloved Turkey in its peregrinations, as he visits those who remember him.
He loved singing and his sincere interest in the development of the many talented singers at Caffe Taci was a fixture at Taci in its heyday. He would loudly shush the audience (Taci!) whenever one of his particular favorite arias was being performed and always applauded enthusiastically. He showed an interest in my students who sang there too, and always had a pertinent and perspicacious comment to make. I will miss his keen ear.
One of my most joyful moments occured at his 2003 birthday party, a surprise party at Cafe Pertutti. I presented him with a peach pie I had baked for him. The tears that came to his eyes showed his profound gratitude and will remain with me forever.
Carl, he was so proud of you. I know his spirit and love will be with you throughout your life. ALthough I did not know Amy and his other family, he always spoke dearly of you and enjoyed his annual visits. Diana, his faith and trust in you in his last days are awesome. To those friends who gathered last Tuesday night to celebrate his life, he touched us all in different ways and yet always remained true to himself. Thank you for that moment together. It helped me to find the path to acceptance of his passing and I felt his spirit was with us. Richard was one of the most honest, straightforward and "true blue" people I have ever known. It was an honor to be counted by him as a friend. Let us not grieve, but continue to celebrate his joie de vivre and uphold his high standard of the English language, his legacy to us all.
With love,
Mara Waldman
Patrick Aquilina
August 21, 2005
When I first heard the sad news about Dick, I thought of something that happened a very long time ago. The memory surprised me because it was never really a part of my conscious awareness. Dick was one of the observers for my first observation for the fulltime position. Of course I was a total wreck. I hadn't worked at the ALP for very long, and I didn't know Dick other than just to say hello in passing. Besides, he was such an imposing figure - and worse, in those days, he taught the high levels! But it was during this observation that I realized how kind, gentle and compassionate Dick Faust was. At the time, observers were supposed to display a "non-judgmental" stance, meaning that they were not supposed to show any emotion, positive or negative. (However, this non-judgmental look usually was interpreted by the observee as "The observer doesn't like the class.") But none of this for Dick. Although he barely fit into the small chair in the classroom, he sat through the entire class with a big smile on his face, nodding his head at times, even laughing out loud. I learned later, when I got to know him better, how typical it was of Dick to do his best to make people comfortable. Even today I can still see the big smile, the eager look, and the incongruity of this big man on a small chair in a classroom in Teachers College.
Mary Jerome
August 21, 2005
We grieve that Richard Faust is no longer with us. Remember his quiet dignity -- Dick never shouted or raised his voice, but we always listened to him. He knew so much; he was a gentleman. Remember his kindness, generosity and courtliness. Unexpected gifts from Tiffany's at Christman; escorts home after dark. Remember his love of travel, fine wine and good food -- remember his seviche! Remember postcards from far-off lands. Remember his friendship with John Burke and his love for his mother, his broher and his brother's family. Remember his voice though his writings in the New York Times and Columbia magazine. Remember his departed, long-time buddies at the ALP: Lou Levy and Bernie Alter, James O'Driscoll and Francis Juhasz. Remember his breakfast at the center table and his newspaper clippings. Remember his 60th surprise birthday party at Kathleen's. Remember his basement coordinator's office in Lewisohn, shared with Lou . . . and a refrigerator of cold beer. Remember how we turned to Dick for a nod or smile or to confirm a definition, a spelling, a fact, a grammar point. Remember his friendship and love of all who passed through our little corner of Columbia. We have lost in some way our past. Who will record our present and future? Who will we turn to now that death has taken our beloved Richard?
Francis Powers
August 20, 2005
Dear Faust Family,
Sincere condolences on the passing of your Uncle Rich. He liked to say that, although he had no children, in fact he enjoyed thousands of progeny, all speaking English more successfuly as a result of his leadership, warmth and professional skill.
Indeed, our many conversations while refreshing in the neighborhood boites were frequently punctuated by one or another of his alumni seeking him out for a friendly greeting and warm remembrance. Richard was particularly proud of his facility at remembering an often bewildering array of student's names after only one day of class. One morning, he chuckled, the students all changed thier assigned seats as they thought placement was the secret if this remarkable parlor trick. It didn't work, Richard was still able to call each student by his gi9ven name.
He used "The New Yorker" frequently in his reaching because, he observed, humor is the mnost difficlut barrier to cross. Knowing our shared affection for that magazine, Richard laminated some acovers for me and presented them as placemats for the table.
Aware of my longresidence in the far east, Richard presented me with a wonderfully carved dragon on my birthday which I look to for good luck almost every day. Many shared in the humorous irony of Richard's preference for a cap on which "The Great Wall of China" was signposted on his forehead.
Richard oved to share memories of his Illinois boyhood; recalling a time made mor fragrant by the aroma of his mother's pies cooling on the window sill. He used to speak of his mother so fondly as treating with both dignity and generosity those wracked by the Great Depression. One, or another, would stop at thier house entreating for a "hand-out" which he said she would gladly provide in return for just a bit of honest work.
His military service transformed Richard and, perhaps offered his first glimpse at the wider world he was to travel with such glee. Upon landing at Wiesbaden, Germany, he 'oft accepted with noble bashfulness the role of "escort" to a parade of officer's daughters with whom he seemed to enjoy feeling a bit of the swashbuckler.
Richard characterized his place in American culture as "living below the radar. Neither Republican, nor Democrat, he talked of resuming a relationship with the ballot box if only to stand up to the "Bushies."
I have a slection of Richard's published works, some from "The New YOrk Times" "Op-Ed" page. The one his was so tickled by was a submission printed by "Ladies Home Journal", I think it was, offering recipes.
My two sons so enjoyed Richard and he them. One lunch time, my younger son kept shooting rubber bands across Caffe Raci which grazed the top of Richard's head. He kept swatting his crown and looking to the ceiling for drops of water. When Eddie revealed his prank, Richard's good nature produced shared laughter and much happiness in a little boy.
All of us will harbor wonderul memories of Tichard clapping lustily along with "The Toreador Song" from "Carmen" reveling in his element.
I've many photographs of Richard costumed as a hippie at various events which I shall treasure.
Richard spoke often at his pleasure in showing his family, and so many visitors, around New York City. He was a true "flaneur." All were fortunate to have that time.
Here's to Richard Faust!
Dianne Garville
August 20, 2005
May Richard's love of life be an inspiration to his family, especially the younger generation.
Dianne Garville
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