In Memoriam: Rich Paul, 1943-2020
By Sam Pickard
This is not the post I had planned to write next, but now it is the post I need—and want—to write. On December 29th A. Richard “Rich” Paul, the “History Hugger” of Marple Township, passed away. His death is a loss to not only Marple, but all of Delaware County. I have only known Rich for about four years and I am far from the most qualified eulogist, but I want to pause and share a few words about a man who always had time for me, and someone I was glad to call a friend. While I pride myself on my research and citations, this post is going to focus on the man I got to know through the stories he told—if I’ve misunderstood or misremembered anything, I will happily make corrections.
Rich had moved to Marple Township with his family when he was nine years old. He would have seen an area transitioning from a rural, agrarian community to “modern” suburbia. One of the anecdotes Rich would tell about his childhood was how he would play near the old Massey barn—land now occupied by the split-level houses of Lawrence Park. Later he attended Marple Newtown High School, where he was memorialized in his senior yearbook as “the last of the mad bombers”1—a nickname he earned when he and some older friends were caught by an off-duty police officer at the bottom of Greenhill Road after they threw a firecracker at the driveway of a girl they knew. Rich was possibly with those same friends when he rode in the last car down West Chester Pike before it was closed off for then-Senator John F. Kennedy’s motorcade.
Rich entered the US Navy after graduating high school and served four years, attaining the rank of petty officer. After leaving the navy, he studied at St. Joseph’s University and married his wife Pat, with whom he had three children: two daughters and a son.
Though he made a living working for Xerox, Rich’s real interest was local history. To my knowledge he never had any formal training, but instead, a gift and a passion for not only learning the local lore, but making it accessible and tangible for others. Rich had become president of what is now the Marple Historical Society by 1992, and over subsequent years became chairman of the Marple Historical Commission and the Delaware County Heritage Commission. The role he seemed (to me, at least) to relish the most was Vice President of Property at the 1696 Thomas Massey House. Wearing an 18th century farmers costume that included a floppy brown hat and woolen vest, Rich would lead tours of the house on Sundays throughout the summer. He always seemed to be striving to better understand the house and Pennsylvania life in the 1700s, paying particular attention to lighting technology. Sometimes he was so immersed in the past that he could “gossip” about the affair he’d discovered between a Marple farmer and his neighbor’s wife… 250 years ago.
While the 18th century and the Massey House were Rich’s special interests, in recent years he put substantial work into obtaining protections for Hayti Cemetery—a 19th century burial ground used by members of the local African American community into the 1930s. Working with community members and state legislators like Jenn O’Mara, Rich was able to bring attention to the cemetery and help organize cleanups and flag plantings to honor veterans interred there.
Finally, from a personal perspective, Rich was someone who I could “talk history” with. Twice during the past year we met at the Massey House—windows open, socially distanced, and masks on—to just chat. When I started this blog he was extremely supportive and encouraging, placing his knowledge, connections, and materials at my disposal. Rich made me feel like family at the Massey House. Whenever it is that things are “back to normal” and we once again gather around the wooden “kitchen table” at the Massey House, it won’t be entirely the same. I’ll miss Rich’s faux-serious greeting when I walk through the threshold, his black portfolio folder and legal pad, his jokes, and his wink. At risk of sounding too dramatic, I echo Edwin Stanton in saying that now Rich belongs to the ages, joining not only local historians like Hilda Lucas and Clarissa Smith, but the whole pantheon of individuals in Marple’s history.
I’d like to invite any readers who feel so inclined to share their memories of Rich in the comments.
- Marple Newtown High School Class of 1962, Memories yearbook (1962), 112.
Will miss his mentoring to find solutions for historic preservation programs and projects. RIP my friend
I met Rich as he was volunteering with Bethel Township Preservation Society. Whether it was our Log House Open House in May or Founder’s Day in October, Rich could be found with a table demonstrating Colonial light fixtures. He graciously accepted me when I became a member of the Heritage Commission and I appreciated his leadership. He will be greatly missed by BTPS and all our members.
When I moved to an old home in Marple in 1998, Rich showed up at the door with a friend, identified themselves as members of the Marple Historical Society, and asked if I would show them the old house. By the time we were done the tour, we were friends – he knew so much about the discoveries we made, old hooks in the basement, a smokehouse in an upstairs closet, and he was obviously enjoying the bones of this old house. We have been firm friends ever since and I have worked with him on local history projects and served with him in several official and unofficial capacities; and went out to dinner together with our wives – his Pat just as historically curious and involved as Rich. His loss leaves a gaping hole in our local history community – he supported every community in Delaware County and beyond with his presence at events, his mailing list, and his willingness to share his time and experience with anyone who asked for help. We had a list of projects to follow up on this year. In my walk this morning I passed two of them – and each time I started making a mental note to call Rich to get them going. And then sadly realized that I will never again have that pleasure that Sam described – of sitting down to chat and laugh with Rich and then turn to the business of preserving and promoting the history of the community. He will be sorely missed. And our thoughts and prayers turn to Pat now.
My father called me daily to talk about all of you! Though I never shared his love of history it was really the community that he found with the people with that passion that he really truly felt enriched his life. I am thankful that he had so many of you in his life to share it with and still made me feel included with all the stories I heard about his friends and colleagues. To say I will miss him is an understatement, but I know that because of the man he was all that knew him will feel the loss of this amazing man. Thank you Sam for writing this. Katie-daughter of Rich.
Thank you Sam for this wonderful tribute, and thank you Rich for the gifts of friendship and history so lovingly and abundantly given. Jan and J0hn Haigis
I met Rich went I started working at The Massey House. He was a good friend and a great boss.I’m going to miss you Rich, my friend; R.I.P.
I met Rich went I started working at The Massey House. He was a good friend and a great boss. I’m going to miss you Rich, my friend; R.I.P.
I am so sorry to learn of Rich Paul’s death. My son, John Lyons; is autistic and was given an internship at the Massey House when he was in high school. Rich and John meshed perfectly. Rich was wonderful to John, spending a lot of time talking about history. After the internship ended, John continued to volunteer at the Massey House, scanning slides for Rich to create a digital library. I also enjoyed talking to Rich. He was such a kind man.
I have known Rich for a long time. He was always there when needed, and helpful in so many ways. I will miss him greatly.
Spent many hours at the Massey House. Thank you Rich for sharing your knowledge and stories of the Massey House. If it wasn’t for you, I would never have learned that Armond Spitz was married and lived there. Thank you for letting George Sibley finish his documentary on William Herschel at the Massey House. You live on as one of the members of the cast. Thank you for all the memories.
I worked as a fifth grade teacher in the Haverford School District for many years. It was a thrill to take the students to Lawrence Cabin and Nitre Hall where Rich and other volunteers taught the students about colonial and federal living. He was patient, kind, and always willing to share his stories. Every autumn, for twenty years, I loved that field trip and I knew my students were getting the best education. When my own children were born, I took them to the Thomas Massey house for the colonial living day. Rich had so many stories to tell. My favorite was the mystery behind the female bones suspected to be Native American behind the old Pathmark. So many stories. Last winter, before Covid hit, I found some old bullets that needed to be identified. Who did I contact? Rich. A love of history is a love of people and their stories. Rich shared his love with the community. Very sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family. There is a large legacy to uphold in Marple. May we rise to the challenge.
Comment Thank you Sam , beautiful tribute to an amazing friend . Will be missed ,,,,but know many people gathered to welcome him at the gate ………….some are the early families in Marple that Rich shared we us.
It’s been a privilege to know and work with Rich and I am all the better for it. He will be greatly missed by many. We are all in his debt for all he gave to history
Comment My late husband, Bob Klinger, and I bought a 1750 farmhouse in Marple in 1989. We went to tour the Massey House and met Rich. That was the beginning of a long and wonderful friendship that inspired Bob, a chemist, to become a blacksmith and demonstrate the craft at several historic locations. Rich and Pat have been wonderful friends, generous with their time and their endless knowledge of history. Rich will be greatly missed. He was a gem.
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Sam, thank you for sharing your personal remembrance of Rich. Taken from us too soon, at a time when we cherish all human connections, Rich was my new friend who I looked forward to getting to know better and someday– seeing without his mask. It was June, 2020, when I was first introduced to Rich by Clarissa F. Dillon inside 1696 Thomas Massey House. Because Rich was supportive of our new web series, One Cool Colonial, I was thrilled to be invited into the House when I knew it was closed to visitors because of the Pandemic. My dear neighbor Clarissa said that Rich would open the door and be there for us when we would be filming inside Massey House. I instantly made a connection that day when my longtime friend Beverlee Barnes was at his side in the kitchen and as Rich “introduced” us to one another, though I saw only his twinkling eyes, I felt that “history hug” that Sam described for us. A few weeks later, on a very hot summer day, Rich opened the door to Massey House again– this time dressed in period clothing. Yes, that wool vest. Clarissa and Rich gave a tour of the Massey House while I filmed it for the web series. In early December when Clarissa and I were in the kitchen filming, Rich was with us tending to the fire, talking about his family, his days in the Navy, and of course– more about the people with whom he shared his love of history. Rich also handed me an envelope to give to Radnor Historical Society. To Rich’s wife, Pat, his children and their families, I offer my deepest condolences and share in your sadness as you remember your dear Rich, a most charming and loveable man, and our local historian.
Pam
My uncle rich was a great man and a history buff he always talked about the Massey house and the history behind it I will miss him greatly
Rich and I grew up in the same neighborhood and reminisced about eating at Fischer’s restaurant ( currently the Country Squire Diner), going to the Powell Lumber yard and the train station behind it. Rich told me about his project of moving the train station structure to the Drexel Lodge property to preserve that bit of history. Rich was always a source of information about old ruins I ran across exploring the Marple Newtown area. My wife and I enjoyed dinners at the Massey house with Pat , Rich and friends. He will be missed and fondly remembered.
Mike Smith
Comment A beautiful tribute to my Uncle Rich who was much loved and will be so sorely missed.
Thank you, Sam for that tribute. Rich helped me start the Collingdale Historical Society back in 2013. His encouragement and advice will be greatly missed. He was a strong advocate of local history, and was always willing to talk about events. He was an active member of the Collingdale Historical Society. He will be greatly missed by all of us at the Collingdale Historical Society.
Although I only knew Rich a few years, he made me feel as though I knew him my whole life. We would talk about history and preservation and just life. I am so grateful for the time that I got to spend with him as chair of the Heritage Commission and as an integral member of the Massey House and Marple Historical Society. It’s hard to imagine any of them without him. He lived and breathed Delaware County history and I hope that we can honor his legacy by continuing to promote our shared heritage. He was a fantastic mentor, friend and history hugger. I will miss him dearly.
Comment It has been more than 10 years since I worked with Rich Paul on the Public History Project for Delaware County but he is fondly remembered. It was wonderful to work with someone who wanted to see historic buildings and relationships between history organizations nurtured , developed and sustained. One of the major outgrowths of the public history project was the development of the DCHPN, which we hoped that would be a useful communication tool for all the 80 history organizations in the county. And through that list serve over the last 10 years, I have seen how he and others have continued the good fight for Delaware County history. I will miss Rich Paul.