Richard E. "Dick" Risk

Richard E. "Dick" Risk , 84, died December 28, 2017, in Falls Church, Va. He was born in Belleville, Ill. to Marjorie and Richard Risk. He is preceded in death by his sister, Sally Risk Theiss, and is survived by his brother, Robert Risk and his former wife, Jane Wiley. In high school, Dick was president of the Illinois Association of Student Councils. He graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia, and then served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Dick worked for the First National Bank in St. Louis, where he was a member of the Young Republicans until they kicked him out for voting for Kennedy. Then he helped found the Downtown Democratic Luncheon Club. Dick joined the Missouri Commission on Human Rights in 1964, soon becoming its Executive Director. In 1995, he retired from the EPA after serving 24 years in the Civil Rights Office and the Grants Administration. In retirement he spent his time with volunteer activities and visiting family and friends. Dick was Director of Volunteers at the Northern Virginia Community College and helped found the Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia where he taught popular classes from "Science for Non-Scientists", "Why People Believe Weird Things" to "Poetry Appreciation". He was also a founding member of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society. He served eight years as a member of the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging, including two years as Chair. Dick traveled extensively, spent many hours on the tennis and pickleball courts with friends, traveled the West on his motorcycle and co-owned a plane among other adventures. Dick was a master at keeping in touch with friends and bringing people together. He also had a talent for appreciating people, for bringing out their best and for making them feel valued. He touched us all and will be missed. Charities preferred to Lifetime Learning Institute or Ethical Society of Northern Va. Memorial Service at the Virginia Ethical Society will be held April 7.