Richard Weiss

1937 - 2020

Richard David (Dick) Weiss
Richard David (Dick) Weiss passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020. An independent, creative thinker, he had the remarkable ability to charm everyone with whom he interacted. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved by all. Born in 1937 in Beaver Falls, PA, he was the second son of the late Charles G. Weiss and Mildred (Shoe) Weiss. As a young man, Dick drove the milk delivery truck for his dad, who owned the Weiss Dairy.
The stage beckoned, and at 18 he studied at Carnegie Melon and the Pittsburgh Playhouse, performing in several plays. He met his first wife, Judith (Rechichar) Weiss at the Playhouse, married in 1957 and they proceeded to have three daughters, Terri (Dana) Davenport, Sandra (Emery) Purdy, and Christine Michelle (Mimi) (Gregory) Wood, all of Connecticut.
While in Pittsburgh, he worked at WQED in various jobs, including work on the iconic Mr. Rogers Neighborhood show. He eventually concentrated on television lighting design and had an extensive career that moved him from Pittsburgh to Virginia to New York and finally Florida. His many New York credits include lighting design for Sesame Street (two Emmy nominations), The Electric Company (two Emmy nominations), The Adams Chronicles (two Emmy nominations), the New York Symphony (one Emmy nomination), the Metropolitan Opera, Live from Lincoln Center, The Merv Griffin Show, the Tony Danza Show, Tony Award segments, Dark Shadows, One Life to Live, All My Children, and so many specials it is impossible to list. He also designed the lighting for various commercials, industrials, live concerts (including two for Elvis Presley), and was the long-term lighting director for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Dick's relationship with Jerry Lewis also led to the television lighting sequences for the feature film, The King of Comedy.
Dick also designed the lighting for various political shoots, including various debates, inaugurations, and White House specials (Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton). Dick moved to Florida in the early 1990s and worked at Nickelodeon, where he designed the lighting for various shows, including Clarissa Explains It All, Gullah Gullah Island, and Family Double Dare.
While in Florida, Dick met and married his second wife, Bethany Berry-Weiss and had two children, Amber Noel Weiss and Sky David Berry-Weiss, all of Hawaii.
Dick was never happier than when he was on a soundstage, and his love of the creative process guided his life. He was incredibly proud of his work, and it defined him. As a lighting designer for television, stage and film, he mentored many with his calm, professional demeanor, ingenuity and humble spirit. He was a proud father, who loved every opportunity to eat, drink and celebrate with his family. His favorite holiday was Christmas and he spent many hours under the Christmas tree each year, setting up his beloved train and village and sometimes taking a much-needed holiday nap. We're confident the heavens will be a little better lit with him directing the lighting from above.
Dick is survived by his wife, Bethany Berry-Weiss, his five children, three sons-in-law, five grandchildren (Emery Purdy III, Richard (Ricky) (Amanda) Purdy, Melissa Purdy, Olivia Davenport, and Georgianna Wood), one great-grandchild, Charlotte Purdy, his brother, Charles G. Weiss, sister-in law Esta, and niece Beth Bosley (Brett) of Pennsylvania.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, services will be private.