Richard O. Funsch ’55

Richard, whose sudden midlife disability failed to dent his exceedingly helpful good nature, died at home in Princeton April 1, 2025. In 1983, he was leading his own law firm in St. Louis when he lost 96 percent of his eyesight within 24 hours due to an unidentified virus. It changed the way he practiced law, but he soldiered on for the next 10 years with the help of a reader. In 1996, he and his wife, Mary, moved to Princeton and until his eyesight was completely gone, he walked home unaided along the streets of Princeton from the YMCA, where he worked out. He loved to audit University classes, noting happily that unlike his days as an undergraduate, he didn’t need to take notes or stress out about exams.

Richard was born Sept. 6, 1932, in St. Louis and attended St. Louis Country Day School. At Princeton, he joined Cottage Club, majored in history, and was widely known as “Mo.” He was a member of the 150-pound football team and played IAA football, squash, and club hockey. Senior year he roomed with Dan Lane, Dozier Gardner, Bob Hiden, and Albert Yort.

After Princeton Richard graduated from law school, first attending Columbia and then Washington University in St. Louis. After passing the Missouri Bar, he spent 34 months as a judge advocate in the Air Force. Returning to St. Louis, he practiced law and had an unsuccessful run for Congress before his eyesight vanished. Five years later he married Mary Sutter, whom he had known in St. Louis for 20 years. In 1996, they moved to Princeton, which he said fortified his belief that it was the “best old place of all.” He was a welcome worker, attending many class meetings to help advise on arrangements while Mary took notes on what was decided.

He is survived by Mary and children Randolph, Ted, and Cynthia; and stepchildren John, Mary Beth, and Sarah; and seven grandchildren.