Richard Fein born February 20, 1944, passed away on the morning of February 5, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Jill; his son, Evan; his nephew, Fred; his nieces, Gwen and Jill; his grandnephews, Samuel and Justin; and his grandniece, Haley.

A lifelong resident of Brooklyn, New York, Richard taught biology and chemistry at Wingate High School and Telecommunications High School. He was an extraordinarily gifted thinker who also earned a JD in law. He met his wife, Jill, at a Mensa convention in 1982.

Richard loved and wrote poetry and was a featured reader at many readings throughout the greater New York City area, as well as in numerous publications. He had an incredible sense of humor and was always there for friends and family when they needed him. He often acted as a peacemaker when he saw friends or family members feuding with one another.

He also loved photography and participated in Brooklyn's photography club. He and his son Evan would go to Jamaica Bay in Queens, throw pinecones at each other, and then take photos. Richard's only "brush with the law" came while traveling behind the Iron Curtain, when the East German Stasi caught him photographing the Berlin Wall.

Evan, Jill, and Richard were all closer than close. The love with which he looked at his wife every day, and at his son from the moment he first saw him after his birth through his final day, is infinite and eternal.

Richard was an accomplished writer and brilliant with words. But there are simply no words that can fully convey how much he meant to Evan and Jill—nor any words that can fill the absence created by his loss.

-   -   -   -

ADVICE FOR TOMBSTONE EPITAPHS
by Richard Fein

Faces passing in a crowd in time grow faceless in memory.
How then is one who's special to be remembered afterwards?
Can a lifetime be defined by a single word?
A word that should be cut deepest in marble,
deeper than the name, dates of birth and death,
and all the good works that soul accomplished.
Is there a single-word synopsis of that singular life,
a moniker defining his or her entire existence?
Yes, the last word fading on that eroding marble is
BELOVED.

-   -   -   -

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Dementia Society of America ( https://www.dementiasociety.org)

- or -

BrightFocus ( https://www.brightfocus.org )

-   -   -   -

Funeral Service/Gathering

Thursday, February 12, 2026

4 PM - 8 PM

Joseph P. Clavin Sons, Inc.
7722 Fourth Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11209

Inter ment

Friday, February 13, 2026

11 AM

Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11232