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RICHARD WOODWARD Obituary

WOODWARD--Richard, loving husband, stepfather, grandfather, brother and friend, died at home in Southampton, NY, on April 29. He was 70 years old. The cause was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease. A journalist and critic, Rick was an omnivorous reader, a book collector and an elegant, incisive writer. An authority on photography and jazz, he contributed frequently to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, among many other publications. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Susan Stevenson, four stepchildren, Josephine Kalisman, Dr. M.L. Stevenson, Gordon Stevenson and Scott Stevenson, five grandchildren, two sisters Amy Woodward and Brenda Woodward, a niece Anna and nephew Aaron and countless pals. Family and friends will celebrate Rick's life at a memorial service later in the year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the Morgan Library.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on May 7, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD WOODWARD

10 Entries

Ryan Newton

November 3, 2023

I am dying of the same disease. Richard , I didn´t know who you were, but I found your article dying of a disease i´ve never even heard of. I really wish that there were more focus and attention on this disease but of course don´t we all until we have it. For most people, it´s out of sight out of mind, they will never know. Still to this day when I tell people I have this disease they don´t even know what it is. My condolences.

Liz Egloff

October 19, 2023

I knew Ric at Trinity College, where, even though he was just an undergrad, he was already intimidating in intelligence and discernment. After college, we traveled thru Ireland together for a few weeks. I'm so shocked to see this. I ran into him at a party in New York--he waved to me from across the room, but was gone, before I could get to him. Now he's gone again. I'm heartbroken.

Abelardo Morell

August 24, 2023

I just found out! Rick was such a dear friend! The smartest thinker about Photography I knew or I'll ever know. I will miss his sober take on art !

Abe Morell

Lois Conner

August 8, 2023

It´s hard for me to understand that he´s gone. My deep condolences to his family. Hope to attend a Memorial in his honor, to celebrate his miraculous life.

Susan Merrell

July 24, 2023

Jim and I were so sad to hear of Rick's passing. What a wonderful, kind and brilliant guy he was. We are so sorry.

Phyllis Henrici

May 16, 2023

Heartbroken to hear of his passing. The first friend I made when I moved to NYC in late 70s, and we stayed friends ever since. I will miss him greatly. Condolences to Susan and the rest of his family.

Gordon Reis III

May 8, 2023

Just a fabulous guy and great to my sister, nieces and nephew.

joe Dorinson

May 7, 2023

Condolences. I met Richard years ago as a friend of his big sister, Brenda.

Catherine Butterfield

May 7, 2023

Rick and I were friends in high school, and later in our early years in New York. He appeared in a hilarious non-speaking role in the first play I ever wrote (in high school.) I reached out to him before our recent reunion and he was sad not to be able to attend, but I was glad to reignite our friendship via email. I sent him pictures of Malibu State park just a couple of weeks ago and he wrote back, "Spectacular! I can inhale the salt air from here." A lovely, lovely man. I´m so very sorry for your loss.

Elisa Petrini

May 7, 2023

Rick was such a courtly, intellectually adventurous, and loving friend! I will miss him so much!

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results

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