Obituary: Van Rensellaer Richards

Van Rensellaer Richards died unexpectedly at his home in Riverton, NJ, January 31, 2015. He was 57. Mr. Richards was a graduate of New Canaan Country School (CT), South Kent School (CT) and Allegheny College in Meadville, PA.

He taught elementary students in several schools, United Day School (Laredo,TX), Moorestown Friends (NJ), Chapin School (NJ) St. Peter’s (Philadelphia, PA). Most recently, he worked at the Quaker School of Horsham (PA), where he was the director of development, wrote grants, and was in charge of alumni relations. He also organized the fundraising, public relations and “refilling the towel dispenser.”

He is survived by his partner, Brit Brennan of Riverton. He is also survived by his mother, Jan Richards, of Stamford, CT and siblings: Peter Richards of Vinalhaven, ME, Ginny Perrakis, Brookfield, CT, Alden Richards, Brookline, MA, and Chris Richards of Ft. Collins, CO. Plus 11 nieces and nephews to whom he was a caring and devoted uncle.

Van loved fires, clearing brush, cats and slapstick comedy. He was the go-to person concerning DVD players, cable connections, programming appliances and trouble-shooting chainsaws. He lovingly cared for a 1946 A Model Farmall tractor. Wherever he lived, he made friends and was known for his generosity of time, humor, money and effort. He was a talented Tex-Mex chef and, most recently, discovered cairns and built several dozen of the stone structures for love and (sometimes) money. He was vitally interested in The Taylor Wildlife Preserve which lay next to his residence in Riverton, NJ. He wrote about it, cleared clogged water-courses, and made his rounds frequently, trash-picking, noting everything, and delighting in the wonders of nature. Van’s loved ones plan on having a “Tree Planting” in the Preserve in his honor.

To share your fond memories and condolences with Van’s family, please visit www.snovergivnish.com.