Richard F. Bloom
Lisbon
— Richard F. Bloom, Ph.D., died peacefully at his home in Lisbon on June 13, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 23, 1931, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Mary Schur and Morris Bloom.
Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Brooklyn College, Richard worked as a physicist at the National Bureau of Standards. He was then drafted by the U.S. Army and served in Korea. Following the war, he joined IT&T Federal Laboratories in New Jersey as a senior electronics engineer and obtained an Associates of Science in electrical engineering and a Master of Science in management engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. His career led him to Dunlap and Associates (a “think tank”) based in Darien, as a principal behavioral scientist. Richard later obtained a Ph.D. in industrial and human factors engineering along with a four-year post-doctoral certificate in comprehensive psychotherapy. He then shifted his career to executive coaching, marriage and family therapy and clinical psychology. For over 40 years, he had both private and group clinical practices in Connecticut. Richard was a life-member of several professional organizations and received numerous awards and accolades.
Richard was eternally grateful to his grandparents who emigrated to the U.S. from Russia and escaped the fate of genocide. He strove to “payit-forward” by volunteering and holding leadership roles in many not-for-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross and Medical Reserve Corps Disaster Services. He was an amateur paleontologist, “rockhound” and artist. He had unbounded compassion and respect of all living things. Richard's main ambition in life was to always be curious, kind and help others be the best version of themselves. He expressed interest in others and made them feel valued. As such, he was referred to by many as “the nicest man in the world.” Richard was devoted to and cherished his family. He enjoyed the simple things in life such as traditions, hot dogs, and Jewish foods. His endearing spirit will be missed by many.
In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his son, David Thal Bloom of New York, N.Y., and his half-sister, Rosemary “Romy” Schiff of Highland Park, Ill. Surviving is his wife of 25 years, Armelde Pitre; children, Laura Bloom of Niwot, Colo., Jennifer Croteau of Canterbury, and Paul Womble of Washington, D.C. He has six grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
A graveside service was held 1:30 p.m. June 15, 2021, at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich. Those who wish to honor his memory may make gifts to the American Red Cross or American Cancer Society. Church & Allen on Sachem Street in Norwich are handling the arrangements.