Dr. Richard Rischar

Dr. Richard Rischar, age 54, husband, brother, son, musicologist, composer, music analyst, was born in Quincy, IL on April 5, 1968. He died on March 20, 2023, in Traverse City, Michigan. Richard lived with depth and passion in his life, and the center of it was music. He lived the belief that music can change people, the environment, and the world.

Richard graduated from Quincy Senior High in 1986, and from Millikin University in 1990. He received his Doctorate in Musicology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1999. He taught music and led choirs at Dickenson College in Carlisle, PA, at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus, Muskegon Community College, The Children's House, and Interlochen Arts Academy.

He is survived by his wife, Gulshirin Dubash; mother, Mary Jane Rischar; sister, Heather Rischar; brother, Hank Rischar; sister-in-law, Bre Billings Rischar; his niece, Adelaide Rischar; mother-in-law, Rashne Dubash, and brother-in-law, Ardishir Dubash, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Pete Rischar, and aunt, Nancy Kelley.

He was an organ donor. Richard facilitated groups with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-Grand Traverse. He advocated for their funding, and in December 2022 learned it was awarded additional funding from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Memorials may be sent to your local NAMI or other mental health supports.

A memorial service is not currently scheduled, once planned it will be a group of people singing, sharing stories and celebrating a life of giving with a full heart.