Richard Lamont Pope, 85, long-time resident of Chicago, Illinois; native of Bear Lake, Utah; retired editor at Encyclopedia Britannica; and former English professor at Brigham Young University (BYU) and Wayne State University (WSU); passed away peacefully May 28, 2016.
Preceded in death by partner of 52 years, Richard Weisenseel; loving father of Alan Lamont Pope; grandfather of Ashley Collette Pope; brother of Mardell Ray (the late Wanda), Stephen Dee (Caroline), and the late Laurel Jay (Sharon) Pope; son of the late Lamont and Fern Pope; and uncle, cousin, and friend of many.
Richard completed BS and MS degrees at BYU; fellowships at University of Chicago and WSU; PhD course work at WSU. He taught English, composition, creative writing, literature and journalism at City University of New York (Baruch College of Business) and modern poetry at Donnell Library, New York City; guest lectured at Northwestern University, Illinois; trained teachers at BYU laboratory schools; audited accreditation standards quality at University of London; and published articles in several British and US magazines and newspapers.
Richard will be remembered as an educator, researcher, author and poet; creator and producer of countless articles and books; winner of prestigious writing competitions; a voracious reader known for his article “clipping service” personalized for friends and family members; avid supporter of the visual and performing arts; collector of books and artwork, world traveler, lover of nature and children. He was an expert on Mormon history and theology; served a mission in London, England; and at age 20 became the youngest editor of Millennial Star, the church’s longest continuously published periodical.
He was particularly supportive of Chicago’s Newberry Library, Gilda’s Club and Howard Brown Health Center; Sierra Club and Audubon Society.
Interment of cremated remains at Garden City Cemetery, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Gilda’s Club: www.gildasclubchicago.org, (312) 464-9900.
Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois, 773-281-5058 or www.cremation-society.com.