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Richard Hellman Obituary
Emeritus professor of economics at the University of Rhode Island, died Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at South County Hospital after a short illness. He lived in Kingston, RI. He was married for 66 years to the late Violet Grace (Zeitlin) Hellman, a linguist and dancer. Born in New York in 1913, Professor Hellman and his wife lived for many years in Washington, D.C. before moving to Rhode Island in 1970. Professor Hellman is survived by his son Peter of New York, and daughters Elizabeth S.L. Cooper of New York and Caroline J.C. Hellman of Cambridge, MA. Also surviving are brothers Robert Hellman of Yorktown Heights, NY, Charles Hellman of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, and Benjamin Hellman of Roslyn Heights, NY. Loving grandfather of four. A Pulitzer scholar at Columbia University, class of 1934, Professor Hellman had a wide-ranging, 34-year career as a research economist for the federal government and at the University of Rhode Island. In WWII, Professor Hellman was gunnery officer of USS Mansfield (DD-728) in Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's fast carrier task force in the Pacific. He held the rank of Lt. Commander in the USNR. The funeral was held Thursday. Contributions in Professor Hellman's memory can be made to The Violet Grace Hellman Endowed Prize in Languages at the University of RI. Arrangements by SHALOM MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1100 New London Ave., Cranston, RI.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Hellman
Sponsored by a loving nephew..
Beverly Black Roca
December 2, 2024
Truly a remarkable and kind man.
DICK GLASSMAN
December 2, 2023
Even though considerable time has passed, my memories and visions of Uncle Richard and Aunt Vi remain strong...They were such happy times spent with them and the family that these "ETCHED" memories will be with me forever and I will be a better and happier person because of that. We have lost many of our family and I am glad that the memories will carry us thru the rest of our lives. May all of our departed Loved Ones Rest in Peace Eternal.....
Martin Hellman
December 2, 2020
Although it's been years since my Uncle Richard died, I think of him often and fondly. I mention his poetic VJ Day Letter at least several times a year to different people, and I love his concluding sentence: "If, with our fighting friends of all the world, we could win a war, we know that we can and must win a happy long peace."
April 8, 2014
Dear Peter, Liz, and Caroline,
I am so sorry to hear about your father's passing. I have many fond memories of him and your mother while you all were living at Lake Barcroft. You all are in my prayers. I send my love and hugs to you all. Fondly, Beverly Black Roca
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Robert Israel
December 27, 2005
I am saddened to learn of the death of Richard. When I lived in Rhode Island and worked at the Jewish newspaper there, he and I frequently chatted about his experiences with the small but passionate Jewish community in Narragansett. I send my warmest thoughts to his family.
Dick Glassman
December 27, 2005
The Hellman brothers were bigger than life as I grew up. They were all different and "experts" at different things. As a young man after my mothers passing I spent time with many of them but remember with fondness the time spent with Uncle Richard, Aunt Vi and the kids in Falls Church Virginia. I remember those days with fondness and a great sigh! We will miss Uncle Richard as we miss all great men and always remember the time spent with him.
Marilyn Hellman Jacobs
December 12, 2005
My Uncle Richard was very special to me, I was the youngest of the Hellman neices and have memories of writing to him when he was in the navy. As Grandpa Hellman called me his personal secretary.
I had letters that Uncle Richard sent me that described the beautiful skies that he saw while on the ship. In one letter he said that he was glad that he wasn't a painter as he would go mad trying to paint the beautiful colors. My Aunt violet was the sweetest person and very loving.
Uncle Richard had a pet name for me,he called me Mookie. Both Aunt Violet and Uncle Richard will always be a part of my life, and I like to say memories are like a blanket they keep you warm.
Howard Hellman
December 12, 2005
I was saddened by the news of Uncle Richard's passing. I have fond memories of Richard, Violet and their children, my cousins. Richard always had a twinkle in his eyes that convinced me that he was present in the here-and-now environment as well in an even better place that he caught glimpses of. That other place was one in which there was peace and a univeral belief in humor, even if it was off beat. It was a fine, comfortable and inviting vantage point from which those who were fortunate enough to reach could watch the ordinary world teeter between good times and other times.
I am reasonably sure that Richard has arrived at that wonderful location and that he is smiling upon those of us who are remembering him now.
Years ago, after my admiring his RH belt buckle, Richard sent me an HH buckle with an attached belt that was of the proper size. I wear that gift daily and I am reminded of his thoughfulness and his uncanny ability to choose a belt size that has kept up with my needs.
I hope that the twinkle in Richard's eyes came along with that gift. I hope that if I did receive his non-physical gift along with the physical one, that I can pass it along sometime later when I, too, no longer will need it.
My wife, Carol, and I extend our condolences to the immediate family and we wish to let them know of our fondness for Richard.
Jill Evans
December 11, 2005
My thoughts and love are with you all at this time. I have fond memories as a little girl of visiting Aunt Vi and Uncle Richard's home. I remember warmth, kindness, and Aunt Vi's smile. I miss you, as well as Caroline, Elizabeth, and Peter. I will always remember Uncle Richard with fondness. Sending love across the miles. God Bless...
Jill Hellman Evans and family (Dave , Emily, and Victoria)
Bonnie & Frank crohn
December 11, 2005
Frank and I were saddened to hear that Uncle Richard was no longer with us. We always loved talking with him about many things. We will carry him with us always.
Martin Hellman
December 11, 2005
My Uncle Richard was a special person who will be missed by all who knew him. As a child in the 1950’s I remember driving with my parents to Virginia to visit him, my Aunt Vi, and my three cousins. As the one branch of the Hellmans to move outside the metropolitan New York area, there was something different there that was an added attraction for me. I’ll always fondly remember Aunt Vi’s elegance and warmth, complemented by Uncle Richard’s dry sense of humor and equal warmth. I always felt loved and welcome in their home. While I was an adult when they lived in Kingston, RI, my feelings when visiting there were the same.
Richard was on the quiet side and with a gentle disposition, but he also had a power about him that fit with what I later learned of his wartime service as a naval officer on the USS Mansfield, a destroyer in the Pacific theater that survived devastating typhoons and kamikaze attacks, amazingly without losing the life of any of its own crew.
I will miss him, but was glad to hear that his parting was, in Peter’s words, “a soft landing.” I like to think that old sailors never die, they just sail beyond the horizon.
Marty
Bill and Rhona Hellman
December 11, 2005
12/11/05
Dear Caroline, Elizabeth, and Peter,
Bill and I were very grieved to
learn about the death of your father. He was a remarkable human
being who was much beloved by all of
our family. He certainly earned his membership into "The Greatest Generation."
Love to all of you,
Bill and Rhona
Evelyn Corner
December 9, 2005
Peter, I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's death. I will always remember your Mom, Violet, and your Dad - they were both so good to our family in Charlottessville, Virginia
Lee Easton
December 8, 2005
Dear Hellmans: I knew Richard since I was eleven years old. He was a surrogate father to me, giving me my first bike, taking me on my first camping trip on the Appalachian Trail, and writing to me many times while he was serving in WW2 in the Pacific. Richard was instrumental in my joining the Navy in 1947.
I am so sorry that he is gone. I used to go to Kingston and have wonderful visits with Richard and his wonderful wife, Violet.
Richard will be greatly missed in many ways.
Regards to all. Lee Easton, Jr.
Dr. Mason P Wilson, Jr.
December 8, 2005
Dear Caroline, you had a remarkable father. He will be missed. God Bless...Mason
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