Richard Alan Breslow

1934 - 2018

Richard Alan Breslow

- - April 15, 1934 - October 20, 2018

Richard Breslow was a lifetime student and teacher. He was an avid reader and explorer who continued to educate himself throughout his lifetime, always having his nose in a book on the most recent topics in science. He earned two undergraduate degrees at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. Both Physics and Engineering brought him to his first job in the nuclear reactor industry with Combustion Engineering. That led to a Masters in Nuclear Engineering and a Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Connecticut. After teaching at the University of Hartford and UConn for many years, he became interested in Medical Physics and received a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC, one of the premier cancer facilities in the world. For the next 20 years, he worked at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ, as the Chief Medical Physicist in Therapeutic Radiology. He received his board certification as a Diplomat of the American Board of Radiology. Following his retirement to Reno, he had the good fortune to do consulting locally with Medical Physics Services and became the Radiation Safety Officer with the Reno Veterans Administration Hospital.

As a teacher, Richard's children and grandchildren got used to always being asked, "What did you learn today?" Learning about prisms and the colors of the rainbow, sound waves and the Doppler Effect, holograms and lasers were part of growing up with Richard. He was a frequent guest on the Ranger Andy show out of Hartford, CT performing science experiments.

Richard was raised in New Canaan, CT and his family owned a popular and successful store, "Breslow Brothers" in downtown for many years. During his early years he developed his love of learning and of doing the right thing in the face of adversity. He passed these ideals on to his children and grandchildren.

For his 50th birthday, Richard took his first skydiving jump and signed himself up for a two week Outward Bound adventure in North Carolina. From that point on, he became a hiker, camper, adventurer and an advocate for the preservation of the wilderness areas and the environment. He took many hiking trips with his NJ friends. After moving to Reno, he enjoyed his Sierra Club friends and the scenic hikes and backpacking trips in NV and CA. Hiking up Mount Rose with his sons and grandchildren gave him great joy.

Richard and his late wife, Mimi were married for over 50 years and his family always came first with him. He was truly a "feminist" husband as he supported and helped in every aspect of family life. He often bragged that he could change a diaper faster than his wife and that she never cleaned a toilet. In spite of his somewhat acerbic humor, he was a complete softy and would cry at a sentimental card or TV commercial, or his son hitting a homerun at a Little League game.

Over his lifetime, Richard served on a number of community boards, judged local and international science fairs, volunteered as a human shield for women seeking to terminate their pregnancies, served on political committees and mentored many students. He also enjoyed his non-member "husband" hours with the Assistance League of Reno-Sparks. He was a "mensch" of the first order.

Richard is survived by his children, Judge Barry Breslow (Susi) of Reno, Jean Wnuk of Lunenburg, MA and Stephen Breslow (Debbie) of Basking Ridge, NJ. His grandchildren, who are sure to remember his "teachable moments" and his singing in the car are Phillip, Emily, Rebecca, Hannah, Brian and Karenna. His brother and sister-in-law, Jules and Judy Breslow of W.Bloomfield, MI, his nieces and nephews and close cousins also survive him. Sadly, his beautiful wife Mimi and son-in-law Norman predeceased him.

No funeral is planned as Richard has donated his remains to the UNR Medical School. Anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory may send it to The Assistance League of Reno-Sparks or the Alzheimer's Association.