Richard E. Neunherz ’59

Dick died March 8, 2012, at home in Federal Way, Wash.

Born in Tennessee, Dick grew up in Gardner, Mass., and attended Gardner High School, where he was senior-class president. At Princeton he majored in history, served as Court Club’s secretary-treasurer and bicker committee chairman, and was active in the marching and concert bands.

Following graduation, Dick took a position teaching history at Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Del. In his words, “At the close of the first day I knew I would teach the rest of my life.” During summers while at Tower Hill, Dick discovered another love: wilderness canoeing.

In 1965, Dick discovered his most important love when he met Diane Kilchli in Seattle, where he was in graduate school at the University of Washington (and where he later earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in history).

Dick remained in the West, first at Annie Wright School, then at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, where he taught history and coached a championship Knowledge Bowl team. He retired for health reasons in 2001 to an outpouring of praise from students, parents, and colleagues.

Dick is survived by Diane; his son, Rick; daughter Kim; his brother, Robert; and several grandchildren. We have sent condolences.