Remembering Richard Oliver Funsch: A Tribute to the Legacy of Princeton University Alumnus Who Passed Away at 92

Richard Oliver Funsch, a cherished Princeton resident, passed away peacefully at his home on April 1, 2025. He was 92 years old.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Richard graduated from St. Louis Country Day School before attending Princeton University, where he majored in history and joined the University Cottage Club, a tradition-rich social club that has hosted many influential alumni.

After college, Richard studied law briefly at Columbia University but completed his degree at Washington University in St. Louis. He started his career as a judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force, serving at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Following his military service, he returned to St. Louis to practice law.

In 1972, Richard bravely ran for a congressional seat in Missouri but lost to the seasoned Bill Clay. Despite this setback, he kept a scrapbook from his campaign, a testament to his adventurous spirit. In 1980, he founded his own law firm, focusing on civil litigation, where he passionately pursued his cases. Even in later years, as his memory remained sharp, he fondly recalled details and stories from those trial days, including encounters with notable legal figures like Marvin Belli.

A life-altering event occurred in 1983 when a virus caused him to lose 96% of his eyesight overnight. Adapting to this challenge, he continued to practice law for another decade with the assistance of a reader. After retiring, he dedicated 13 years to volunteering with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) in St. Louis and later in Princeton, helping others navigate the complexities of starting and running businesses.

In 1988, he married Mary Sutter, a longstanding friend from St. Louis, and together they moved to Princeton in 1996. Richard often expressed his affection for Princeton, enjoying life as an auditor in classes without the pressures of grades. He maintained an active lifestyle, walking regularly around town and visiting the YMCA. Remarkably, Richard never allowed his visual impairment to define him; instead, he sought knowledge and shared captivating anecdotes from his legal career with friends.

Richard leaves behind his wife Mary, children Randolph, Ted, and Cynthia, and stepchildren John, Mary Beth, and Sarah. His family includes several grandchildren, whose lives he enriched with his stories and wisdom.

His legacy and love for community will be honored with a memorial service at Trinity Church on May 10 at 11 a.m. Friends and family are encouraged to reminisce with him by contributing to the Cottage 1886 Foundation at the University Cottage Club in his name.

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