Richard Berendzen

1938 – 2022

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, and the former President of American University, Richard Berendzen.

Richard arrived at AU in 1974 with his appointment as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He was appointed Provost in 1976 and served as President from 1980-1990. During his tenure as President, AU flourished. The campus expanded, new buildings were built, the curriculum was overhauled and the endowment tripled in size. Most significantly to him, academic standards, which had declined in previous decades, sharply increased.

Richard resigned as President in 1990, but his love of the University continued. In 1992, he returned to his first love, which was teaching. Richard was a master teacher and story-teller. His classes in Astronomy were almost always greatly over-subscribed.

Richard was a world-renowned astronomer. For decades, he served as an advisor to NASA, including as a member of its Exploration Advisory Task Force and director of NASA’s Space Grant Consortium for Washington, D.C.  He was a highly sought-after expert on space exploration by the media and political leaders.

While his interest in space exploration was professional, scientific and academic, his passion was philosophical. In testimony before Congress in 1978, he asserted “that the discovery of even a single fossil bacteria on Mars would teach us what we ought to know all along, and that is what binds us here on earth – all the diverse peoples here – is really much more profound than what seems to separate us.” 

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Gail, his daughters, Deborah and Natasha, and his grandchildren Max and Sophie.

The family is honoring Richard’s wish to have a private family gathering at his passing. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. 

AltaSea promotes scientific collaboration, innovation, and education; all issues Richard strongly believed in. It is also where Natasha, his daughter, works.

If you have memories or thoughts to share with the family, please do so below.