We Say Goodbye to Jack Richeson

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023

We Say Goodbye to Jack Richeson

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Jack Richeson, October 27, 1932 — October 27, 2023

Many of us knew Jack Richeson as the namesake of the Jack Richeson & Company, which has a long history of manufacturing art materials and educating and supporting artists through the Richeson School of Art and Gallery.

Daniel Greene (1934-2020) painting a portrait of Jack Richeson around 2008; photo by Brenda Mattson

Jack Richeson died peacefully on his birthday October 27, 2023, at the age of 91. We offer our sincere condolences to everyone who is grieving this loss. The following is from his obituary.

Jack Richeson, 1932-2023

Born October 27, 1932, in Chicago Illinois, son of Lily May and George Richeson, brother to Mary Louise, Betty, and Rosalie. While stationed in England during the Korean War, Jack met his wife Ruth Hinde (deceased) and married on March 21, 1955. Together they had 6 children, Colleen Maxey (Greg), David Richeson (Susan), Shawn Richeson (Kelly), Michael Richeson (Laura), Darren Richeson (Michelle), and Kelly Richeson. Jack has been blessed with 22 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Jack found love a second time when he met his Scottish wife Linda Melville Richeson on a cruise aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2001 while writing his first book. Jack and Linda married on April 21, 2004, at Gleneagles in Scotland surrounded by family and friends. Jack's family grew with the addition of Linda's daughter Louise (deceased), and son Duncan.

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Jack worked in the artist materials industry from the age of 16 helping to manage sales for the leading manufacturers in the world. At age 49, he founded Jack Richeson and Company in his home on State Street in Appleton, Wisconsin. Over the next 40 years, he grew the company to become an industry-leading manufacturer of art materials, a benefactor to artists, and a collector of contemporary artwork. His collection featuring over 500 works can be found at his gallery in Kimberly, Wisconsin.

In his later years, Jack and Linda traveled the world in search of new materials, befriending artists, and supporting art groups wherever he went. Jack never retired and was interested in his business and new materials until the end of his life. Jack was grateful to all the people at the Richeson factory who helped him to achieve his dream. Nothing energized him more than walking the factory and interacting with people making his materials possible.

Special thanks to Jack's caregivers, and to Jack's wife Linda who lovingly and patiently cared for him as Parkinson's Disease gradually took hold in his life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wisconsin Parkinson's Foundation in Jack's name.

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Kelly Kane's Pick of the Week: Potrero Hill

Bruce Katz, "Potrero Hill," 2017, oil, 8 x 16 in., Collection the artist, Plein air

In this series, Kelly Kane, Editor-in-Chief of PleinAir Magazine, shares a favorite painting from a previous issue.

Kelly Kane's Pick of the Week: Potrero Hill

"I have amassed a knowledge of the city through plein air painting that helps my studio work. And it works both ways, as well. After a period spent mostly in the studio, I am eager to get out and paint en plein air. And then I find that my plein air painting has improved. There's a lot to learn in the studio, too. It's a dialogue that works both ways."

— Bruce Katz ("Bold and Tranquil," October/November 2018, PleinAir Magazine)

PleinAir® magazine is focused on landscape paintings by historical and contemporary artists, art collections, events, and the process of creating plein air paintings. Beautifully designed with rich reproductions on high-quality paper, PleinAir features the top artists and artworks from around the world. Start your subscription here!

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