Robert Richmond

Robert A. Richmond

 On August 22, 2021 Boston lost a lifelong resident and true son of the city with the passing of Robert Richmond of West Roxbury after a long illness. Possessed of a keen eye and dry wit, he pursued his passion for black & white street photography over 30 years, focusing (sorry Bob! I couldn’t resist!) on residents of the North End, downtown, and the infamous “Combat Zone.” He leaves a body of work that is no less than a social history of this time & place, unsparing and usually gritty.

Robert was born in 1939 and attended Roxbury Latin School in his youth, had a stint in the US Army Reserves, and graduated with a BA from Boston Fine Arts Museum. He was a buyer for Morse Shoes, and later worked as a hairdresser, where he met the wonderful woman who became his wife. Evidently, he did such a great job she fell in love with him on the spot. He became a man of many interests, with an abiding love for classical music and jazz, and he played drums, cello, piano and guitar. An avid chess player, he was a member of the Boston Chess Club.  His love for photography and knowledge of cameras led him to working at the camera shops downtown, most notably Bromfield Camera, where he became a mentor to countless other photographers. He would ride the MBTA daily to shoot or work downtown, and was a regular customer at Peretti’s for his tobacco and beloved pipes, amassing an impressive collection of 250+ pipes.  A true fan of the Red Sox, he rarely missed a game on TV; likewise he was a dedicated reader of The Boston Globe front to back. 

Robert was predeceased by his parents Harrison “Frank” Richmond and Frances Richmond (nee Salvin), and Estelle Salvin and Betty Small. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Ann Lindsay, his daughter Meridith Ann Richmond, his brother Steven Richmond of Sacramento, CA, his nephews Jacob Joseph & William Benjamin Meyers and Ernesto Lopez, and nieces Alisa Lopez and Terri Richmond.   Robert will be sorely missed by his friends and family

Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday August 28th, 12:00 Noon – 2:00 pm at The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. WEST ROXBURY followed by a gathering with food and drinks in the backyard of the family home. Masks are strongly requested for all attendees at both gatherings.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Pine Street Inn (www.pinestreetinn.org) and Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (www.bhchp.org/make-gift).

"More photos of Bob can be found at https://photos.app.goo.gl/gpcd2TfhArTi8yYZ9

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