Richardson Brognard Okie ’29

Dick died May 1, 1996, at his home in Dellwood, Minn. He prepared at St. Paul Academy and at Princeton was in Arbor Inn and roomed with Clif Read.

He started work with US Finishing Co. and had a year of graduate chemistry at the U. of Minnesota. During the war he was in the Army chemical warfare service, serving in New Guinea and Leyte, leaving as a captain. He had an impressive career as writer and public-affairs activist. His many articles appeared in the Atlantic Monthly and Delphian Quarterly, among other places. He ran for the state legislature as a Democrat in 1954 and 1962, losing each time by a narrow margin. He was involved with many civic organizations. His special interest in the United Nations led him to found the RBO Fund for the United Nations. He was a generous supporter of the Minnesota Museum of Art and was chair of its board. In the St. Clement's Episcopal Church he was vestryman and senior warden, and he chaired the social relations committee of the Minnesota Council of Churches. In 1940 he married Susan Mary Shuman, and she survives, as well as daughters Susan Bush and Martha Elizabeth (Mari) Fouracre and son Jesse. The class extends sincere sympathy to Dick's family.

The Class of 1929