On May 23, Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy sent the email below informing the university community about the death of former Chancellor Richard O’Brien.

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Dear Campus Community,

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It is with sadness that I share the news that former Chancellor Richard O’Brien has passed away.

Richard served the UMass community with great dedication and distinction. He was Chancellor of UMass Amherst from 1991 to 1993, after serving as Provost for the previous seven years. Upon completing his time as Chancellor, he went on to become chair of the Biochemistry Department and, reflective of his lifelong love of teaching, received the College Outstanding Teaching Award in 2000.

My condolences go out to Richard’s family, especially to his wife, Susan Whitbourne, a professor emerita of psychological and brain sciences and longtime colleague at UMass.

To honor Richard’s life, a memorial celebration will be held June 2 in Framingham. Further details and a complete obituary recounting his remarkable life can be viewed online.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy