Richard Gottfried

On January 6, 2022, Richard (Dick) Gottfried, Co-Chair of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, passed away at the age of 82. Dick was born May 8, 1939 in San Luis Obispo, California to Joseph Gottfried and Evelyn (Krohn) Gottfried. Dick received his B.S. degree in Bacteriology at San Jose State College, his M.S. degree in Microbiology and his M.B.A both at the University of Arizona. He worked for 22 years at Sigma Diagnostics in St. Louis, Missouri as an Information Specialist and Marketing Information Manager. While at University of Arizona he worked part time in the laboratories at St. Joseph’s Hospital and University of Arizona. Dick was lucky to have married two wonderful women. First was Judy, who gave him his two daughters, Cindy and Heidi. Next he met Joann and became stepfather to her three children, Glenn, Todd, and Elaine. After Joann’s passing he met the last and greatest love of his life, Sharon, whom he had planned to marry in January, after having delayed their original date due to the Covid pandemic. Dick was an avid fossil and rock afficionado. He was at his happiest scrambling over rocks, seeking his personal treasures. He was a member of Tucson Mensa and served as the local ombudsman. He was notorious and beloved for his relentless humor. His vegetarian daughter fondly remembers him in his caveman voice lamenting, “Vegibles isn’t food…vegibles is what food eats!” We all will suffer for the loss of his delicious humor, the palatable and even the unpalatable, the brilliant and the outlandish. Dick leaves a legacy of a life lived well, many friends loved, and a generous sharing of his knowledge with grace and mastery.