Richard Andrew Griscom

Richard Andrew Griscom 1935 - 2011 Richard Andrew Griscom died on January 12, 2011 at home in his beloved Galisteo. He died in the arms of the woman he loved, his wife, Janice Felty Griscom.

He was an authentic, kind, and engaged man with infectious optimism and curiosity about the world around him. He was committed to the spirit of volunteerism and community service, and dedicated his career to making the world a better place. His dedication to environmental stewardship and public service were shaped by his traditional Quaker upbringing on a fruit farm in southern New Jersey. Richard loved to sing and enjoyed many years singing with the Santa Fe Men's Camerata. Avidly interested in cultural exchange and community development, his long and varied career centered around those themes, starting with a Fulbright scholarship in cross-cultural exchange in Germany during college. A Wesleyan University and Harvard Law School graduate, Richard did development work in Central and South America and joined the US Peace Corps, serving in Jamaica, Bolivia, Venezuela, Paraguay, and El Salvador as Deputy Country Director and Director. He also coordinated Peace Corps training programs in California. Richard worked with US Agency for International Development in Bolivia coordinating a rural development program and setting up agricultural cooperatives, and in Panama designing a program to improve the legal system, promote transparency, and combat government corruption. He also worked with the School for International Training coordinating a Haitian refugee program that provided job skills training, and in Sudan training government officials on how to absorb Ethiopian and Ugandan refugees. In addition, he worked with the World Bank and the UN Development Program in Papua New Guinea developing training programs for government officials in health, education, and community development. After he stopped working overseas, he focused his time and experience helping on a variety of issues in the village of Galisteo. Richard also served two stints as General Counsel to the NM Human Services Department.

Richard's family was of utmost importance to him and they and all who knew him will miss his kind and gentle presence. Richard is survived by his spouse, Janice Felty Griscom; sons: David and Britt; daughters: Karin, Megan, and Hannah; grandsons: Dakotah, Luke, and Leo; granddaughters: Ailsa and Chelsea; sons-in-law: Brian Boyd and Ben Koch; daughters-in-law: Peggy Wright and Navjit Kandola.

Donations can be made to the Galisteo Community Association at 35 Avenida Vieja, Galisteo, NM 87540.

A memorial service honoring the life of Richard Griscom was held on March 19, 2011 at the United Church of Santa Fe.