Many of us knew Jack Richeson as the namesake of the Jack Richeson & Company, which has a long history of manufacturing art materials and educating and supporting artists through the Richeson School of Art and Gallery.
Jack Richeson died peacefully on his birthday October 27, 2023, at the age of 91. We offer our sincere condolences to everyone who is grieving this loss. The following is from his obituary.
Jack Richeson, 1932-2023
Born October 27, 1932, in Chicago Illinois, son of Lily May and George Richeson, brother to Mary Louise, Betty, and Rosalie. While stationed in England during the Korean War, Jack met his wife Ruth Hinde (deceased) and married on March 21, 1955. Together they had 6 children, Colleen Maxey (Greg), David Richeson (Susan), Shawn Richeson (Kelly), Michael Richeson (Laura), Darren Richeson (Michelle), and Kelly Richeson. Jack has been blessed with 22 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Jack found love a second time when he met his Scottish wife Linda Melville Richeson on a cruise aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2001 while writing his first book. Jack and Linda married on April 21, 2004, at Gleneagles in Scotland surrounded by family and friends. Jack’s family grew with the addition of Linda’s daughter Louise (deceased), and son Duncan.
Jack worked in the artist materials industry from the age of 16 helping to manage sales for the leading manufacturers in the world. At age 49, he founded Jack Richeson and Company in his home on State Street in Appleton, Wisconsin. Over the next 40 years, he grew the company to become an industry-leading manufacturer of art materials, a benefactor to artists, and a collector of contemporary artwork. His collection featuring over 500 works can be found at his gallery in Kimberly, Wisconsin.
In his later years, Jack and Linda traveled the world in search of new materials, befriending artists, and supporting art groups wherever he went. Jack never retired and was interested in his business and new materials until the end of his life. Jack was grateful to all the people at the Richeson factory who helped him to achieve his dream. Nothing energized him more than walking the factory and interacting with people making his materials possible.
Special thanks to Jack’s caregivers, and to Jack’s wife Linda who lovingly and patiently cared for him as Parkinson’s Disease gradually took hold in his life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wisconsin Parkinson’s Foundation in Jack’s name.
A kind note from Plein Air Today reader Elizabeth Billups:
“What a beautiful tribute, of tender love and appreciation. Sad, that many of us, never had the honor to meet this kind, gentle, man, Jack Richeson…but he was blessed that he touched so many lives! Thank you, for sharing!Please let his family know, that those who love us NEVER EVER LEAVE US! We just need to learn how to “listen” to them differently!”