Richard B. Gamble ’50

Dick, a pioneer in family planning and reproductive health and a descendant of a Procter & Gamble co-founder, died of cancer in Boston Oct. 6, 2009.

A Milton Academy graduate, Dick studied public and international affairs at Princeton and belonged to Dial. After two years of Army service, he traveled extensively overseas with his father, Clarence ’14, to promote family planning.

Dick received a master’s degree in sociology in 1961 from the University of California, Berkeley, then moved to Nigeria, where he spent a decade developing businesses in printing, ceramics, and publishing.

In 1971, he resumed involvement with family-planning organizations, including a dozen years leading the Pathfinder Fund. “He was a passionate and committed feminist way before it was popular for men,’’ said his wife, Nicki, whom he married in 1976 after his first marriage ended in divorce.  

Much more could be written about Dick, but we honor his request to include the following: He gave to Annual Giving every year since 1950, he was a member of the Advisory Council to the Program on Women’s Studies from its inception, and he was a member of the Advisory Council to the Economics Department for about 10 years.

Our sympathy goes to Nicki; his children, Lincoln, Thalia, Ian, and Martha; his sisters and brothers; and six grandchildren.