Richard Karl Bambach

Richard K. Bambach aka Grandpa B/Grandpa Zoom

May 18, 1934-June 20, 2025

Richard was born to Karl and Sarah Williams Bambach at the end of the Depression. His memories of his grade school years included his detailed and painstaking eye exercises, and his father receiving his PhD., and his lifelong National Geographic subscription (which he got before age 10).

Junior High had him leaving Hinsdale, OH with his parents and moving to Washington, where his father worked for the Food and Drug Administration, among other roles. As a young man, Dad’s family had a minah bird land in their yard, get nursed back to health, and live with them. As an only child (both Dad and Mom), I expect the companionship was wonderful! Mom remembers meeting the family in high school and Eddie Bird.

In his college years, Dad had times playing lacrosse at Johns Hopkins, and in 1956, he got asked the most amazing question. He was at the Smithsonian, at the Museum of Natural History, and the question asked was: “Would you like to work here?” He entered the Navy after college and graduated 3rd in his class in Officer Candidate School. Dad married Susan Earle Fennell in January of 1959, and, for their honeymoon, they got into a car and drove to California where they got on a ship and went to the Philippine Islands where they were stationed. This also started their world travels. They had a wonderful leave visit to Hong Kong in 1960, (Dad had two at this time), and they have amazing stories and items of all kinds, statuary, clothes, textiles. The tiger eye rooster and hen come with an amazing tale!

After his return from the Navy stateside he decided to leave military life, another friend asked this question: “Have you ever thought of Yale?” In December 1964, his daughter, Margaret was born in Connecticut. He completed his doctorate at Yale, and got a position at Smith College in Massachusetts where, in 1969, his daughter Cathy was born. He did not stay in Massachusetts but began a job search in earnest and landed on Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA. He built a home, raised his girls, and became a full professor, ultimately Emeritus, and had an incredibly prolific and successful tenure.

He had a hugely keen and busy mind, and excelled at many interests, music, photography, history, and more. He was an amazing collector, and was proud of his art book collection, and his incredible earth and life sciences libraries.

Dad then was invited by his friend Andy Knoll to submit his Vita, and he received an appointment at Harvard. So, he and Susan were off to Boston, returning from there to Silver Spring, MD. Dad worked a second time for the Smithsonian, and Mom worked at the Olney Theater. They watched their granddaughter complete a Nurse Practitioner degree at Georgetown, her marriage, the return of Margaret to the east coast (here in Huntington), the births of their 2 grandchildren, Sawyer and Camille. Dad was so pleased with the decision they made to move to Huntington and to the Woodlands. He celebrated his 91st birthday surrounded by family and at home in his new community. He felt safe that Mom would be all right here.

Richard died on June 20, 2025. He is survived by his wife Susan, daughters Margaret and Cathy, his granddaughter Caitlin Arthur, and his 2 great grandchildren, Sawyer and Camille.

Here is what his granddaughter wrote of him, as well.

My grandpa B passed peacefully. He lived a full life. Him and my grandma recently relocated here from Maryland. I’m glad he was here. With family. With his wife, daughters, granddaughter, and great grandchildren. The day before he passed we all spent the evening together. He was in good spirits. It was the first time he got his dress clothes on in two weeks. We cut up with each other. I’m grateful for the 36 years I got to share with him. And that my kids were able to share some short time with him too.

Grandma and grandpa always lived out of town. From Blacksburg to Silver Spring to Boston and more. We didn’t see each other day in and day out, but we did always spend quality time together when we had the opportunity.

Things that he loved that will always make me think of him. Music, jazz specifically, Duke Ellington. Books. He loved to read and write. Fossils. He worked in paleontology. He has publishing in the National Geographic. He had an office at the Smithsonian. Traveling. He & my grandmother have literally traveled the world. Jokes. He sure did like to crack a joke any chance he got. Photography. He always had a camera near by and captured what felt like every single moment with a photo.

My fondest memories of him are watching movies in their basement in Blacksburg, hearing excerpts of the music he loved, going on shopping sprees, watching slideshows of pictures from him & my grandmother’s adventures, getting personal tours through the Smithsonian, and every museum/monuments in DC, visiting the zoo, Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak.

I’ll carry our memories on. Rest in peace, Grandpa B.

Reger Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. There will be no services at this time.