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Richard Fyffe Obituary
Richard Fyffe, 59, of Grinnell, died on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m., Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the CERA Prairie Site of Grinnell College, southwest of Grinnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the ALS Association, Iowa Chapter, 3636 Westown Pkwy, Suite 204, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.
Richard was born on June 15, 1956, to William and Alice (Queen) Fyffe in Asheville, North Carolina. His family moved a lot for his father's job and he lived in several states. He landed in Massachusetts and graduated from Putnam Catholic Academy in Putnam, MA. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy at the University of Connecticut and his M.S. in Library and Information Science at Simmons College in Boston.
On August 13, 1983, he was united in marriage with Ida Marie Casey in Worcester, Massachusetts.
His library career started in Worcester at the American Antiquarian Society from 1981-1986. Richard then was the library director at Essex Institute, in Salem, MA. from 1986-1990. In 1990, they moved to Connecticut, where he worked for the University of Connecticut. In 2000, the couple opted for a change of scenery and moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he was the Assistant Dean for Scholarly Communication at the University of Kansas, until July of 2006. The couple once again moved and Grinnell College welcomed him to their staff as the Samuel R. and Marie-Louise Rosenthal Librarian.
Richard enjoyed working outside and was a gardener. He was an explorer of ideas and landscapes. He expressed his thoughts and visions with poetry and photography.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Casey of Grinnell, his father, William Fyffe of Worcester, Massachusetts, his sister, Ellen (David) Rhude of Ellicott City, Maryland, one niece, several nephews and many dear friends he made along his journey in life.
Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Fyffe.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Fyffe
Tom and Jean O'Connell
December 10, 2015
To the family of Rick,
We were deeply saddened to hear about your loss of Rick. You have our sincere and heartfelt sympathy. May time help heal the void in all your lives.
With many special thoughts.
Tom and Jean O'Connell. RIP Rick
Don Baxter
December 3, 2015
Richard was one of the best graduate students in the history of philosophy that I have had. He was multi-talented, as well as open-hearted and likable. I am very sorry to hear this sad news.
Wayne Y
November 14, 2015
My sincere sympathy for the family's loss. I knew Rich from when he worked in the data center at Paul Revere Insurance. I recall him as a kind, thoughtful, gentle man.
Joanne Schneider
November 13, 2015
My deepest sympathy for the family's loss. He was a wise and valued librarian who made a real difference.
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Lori Davis
November 13, 2015
My deep sympathies to Ida, Bill, and Ellen. Rick has a special place in my heart, as do all of you.
November 13, 2015
Rest in Peace!
Richard Ring
Sandi Grzyb
November 13, 2015
Bill,
My Sincere sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your son.
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