Richard B. Phillips

Dr. Richard B. Phillips, 77, of Kingston, died Monday, March 21, 2016 at HealthAlliance Hospital Broadway Campus in Kingston, NY. Born in Endicott, NY, he was a son of the late Sydney & Beatrice Lenrow Phillips. Richard was a lovinintellectual and thoughtful individual. He was a dreamer, artist, teacher, community activist and scholar. He was a life-long learner with special interest in politics, history, philosophy and art. He earned a PhD in Political Science from New York University, Masters of Library Science from University of Albany and a Bachelor of Arts from Lafayette College. He served both as a professor of political science and library science at local colleges and worked as a college librarian at Marist College, Bard College and SUNY Ulster. Richard was an avid reader with a book collection numbering in the thousands of volumes. He was a passionate writer, artist, photographer, world traveler and enjoyed building with wood and stone. He was an establishing partner of the High Falls Co-op, a supporter of the Artist Society of Kingston and a founding member of Lifespring: Saugerties Adult Learning Community. Richard is survived by his son, Jake S. Phillips and daughter-in-law, Rebecca Slavin-Phillips of Blue Bell, PA; his companion, Louise Boyle of Kerhonkson; two sisters, Barbara Phillips of Rochester, NY and Joan Schroeder of Bradford, NH; former wife, Ellen Messer of Kingston. A Memorial Celebration of Richard's Life will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 1-5 PM, at the ASK Gallery, 97 Broadway, Kingston. The family requests that memorial donations be made to Lifespring: Saugerties Adult Learning Community; Town Hall, 4 High Street, Saugerties, NY 12777.