The campus community mourns the passing of Richard Pauling Jr., 65, who died on Thursday, May 18. Richard was employed as a Senior Classroom and Event Support Specialist in L&IT, retiring on May 1, 2017 after 29 years of service to the University. During his tenure, he especially enjoyed mentoring student employees.
Richard was born April 16, 1952 in Williamsport, a son of the late Richard E. and Viola (King) Pauling. On April 3, 1976, he married the former Donna R. Honabach who survives him.
Richard was a 1970 graduate of Williamsport High School and later received his associate degree in broadcast journalism from Williamsport Area Community College.
He served in the Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Thailand and was honorably discharged on November 26, 1976.
Richard was a member of the Huntersville United Methodist Church; and most recently, a member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ, Lewisburg.
He was fascinated by electronics and had a fondness for antique radios and clocks. Richard had an eclectic love of music and a collection of vinyl records that he enjoyed sharing with family and friends. He also found joy in landscaping his home and traveling.
He was very proud to have contributed to prostate cancer research by participating in two clinical trials at Johns Hopkins Cancer Center during his illness, as well as making further contributions posthumously.
In addition to his wife of 41 years, Richard is survived by two daughters, Melanie R. Ellis and husband Timothy Jr., of Huntersville, and Melissa E. Pauling and partner Matthieu Vinel, of Paris, France; one son, Bryan P. Pauling and partner William Ruiz, of Greece, N.Y.; one grandson, Nathaniel J. Winter, of Huntersville; two step-grandchildren, Timothy Ellis III, stationed in Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Maddison Wilkerson, of Smithport; one sister and brother-in-law, Jane Kay and William E. Klees Sr., of Montoursville; one brother and sister-in-law, William S. and Nancy Pauling, of Fairfax Station, Va., and several nieces and nephews.
Friends and family may call from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home, 210 King St., Northumberland where funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. with Richard’s nephew, Pastor William Klees Jr. officiating.
To honor his memory, and in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Richard Pauling Memorial Fund, c/o Northumberland National Bank, 245 Front St., Northumberland, PA 17857. Monies collected will be used to establish a fund to help students in achieving their higher education goals, as Richard did during his time mentoring student employees at Bucknell.
Members of the Bucknell Community are encouraged to visit our In Memoriam Site at bucknell.edu/InMemoriam and share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of the entire Bucknell community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Richard’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
I was so sorry to hear of Richard’s death! He has been one of the staples of my 28 years at Bucknell, calmly helping me (a teacher) navigate the complicated world of classroom technology from the installation of dual slide projectors and burnt out bulbs in Vaughan Lit to the first glitchy automated classrooms in Coleman. When Richard showed up to a classroom, things got straightened out. All best wishes to his family and friends at this difficult time. We will miss him at Bucknell.
When I came to Bucknell in 2013, I met Richard and thrilled to hear his stories about watching 16mm films with his daughters long after most people had stopped checking those prints out of the library. I admired his skill and love for analog media and was grateful for his generous assistance with upkeep related to 16mm equipment that Bucknell no longer formally maintains but that the film/media program continues to use. I always looked to him for his expertise in this area, and will miss the camaraderie I felt we shared. I was shocked to hear of his death and am very sad for his family, friends and colleagues. My condolences to all who loved him. Richard’s absence at Bucknell will be felt but I’ll think of him often.
For 29 years, Richard has been a colleague and friend to me. He was a skilled technician and enjoyed working with people. Richard had a knack for mischief around the office, which made coming to work even more enjoyable. I will miss my friend very much.