I have the heartbreaking news to share of the death of my friend and colleague, Beth Richwine. Beth Richwine passed away January 15, 2019 in Takoma Park, Maryland where she had lived with her husband Randall Cleaver for the last 10 years.
Beth was born April 25, 1959 in Newport News, VA and graduated from York High School in 1977. She then graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 1981 and went on to get a Masters in Art Conservation from the State University College at Buffalo. Beth followed her passion to work at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History as an Objects Conservator for the past thirty years and was able to work on many exciting projects over these years.
As a longtime member of the Washington Conservation Guild, many of you remember her presence at meetings. She served the Guild as a Director. She also is remembered for her expertise as a member of the winning duo in the Star Wars vs. Star Trek debate. As both a fan and the conservator of Spock’s ears in the collection of NMAH, she was in a special position to deftly remark on Star Trek. In preparation, she studied up on some Star Trek trivia at her bench, right next to the collection’s C3PO costume (that’s Star Wars), which she also worked on. She and her husband, Randy, shared their home and their cooking proficiency with WCG by hosting the Pewter Spoon Workshop. Beth always made sure interns, fellows, and staff members knew about WCG events, and she made countless WCG presentations better by being the critical ear to listen to drafts and edit PowerPoints.
I had the great fortune to have worked with Beth for three years at the National Museum of American History. Our offices were right next to each other and she was a mentor and friend. She was so good at her job, between knowing the vast collection intimately, being impressively practical about how to do conservation at such a large and active museum, her ability to interact effectively with everyone at all levels of the museum, and her calm and creative approaches to treatment. She still made time for exploring and researching objects in the collection that added to our understanding of and fascination with American History. Over her thirty-year career, she worked on almost every exhibit. Some of her highlights include The Dolls’ House by Faith Bradford, The Great Historical Clock of America, and the Muppets. The legacy she leaves at the museum is truly extraordinary.
She was known within the DC conservation community (and perhaps beyond) for answering questions from colleagues and sharing her endless expertise. There are dozens of people whose professional careers have been enhanced by being a fellow or intern in her lab, and so many more who have had the privilege of working with and knowing her.
Beyond the conservation field, Beth was known to be passionate about ceramics. Many of us are the fortunate recipients of handmade vessels from her collection, which she gave as gifts and donated to WCG raffles. I use my personalized bowl to make oatmeal, and my octopus-incised ceramic as a tool stand. In addition to ceramics, Beth had many interests, both intellectual and artistic. She was an expert cheesemaker, a skilled knitter, decorated pysanska-style eggs, and mastered many other creative pursuits.
Beth is survived by her mother, Alice Richwine of Lexington, VA; sister, Amy Richwine of Lexington, VA; brother, David Richwine of Yorktown, VA, and their families. Beth will be greatly missed by her husband Randy, family, and friends.
I know many of you have fond memories of Beth that you would like to share. Please enter them in the space below to have them posted on our website and shared with her friends and family. A memorial service is planned, and details will be posted shortly.
–Diana Galante, President of WCG
Funds: Should you be interested in this form of honoring Beth, here are the details.
DONATIONS TO BE MADE AT BETH’S REQUEST UPON HER DEATH
If you, family and friends would like to make a donation to Preservation Services, where she worked for 30 years, please send a check and in the memo note that it is for the Beth Richwine Fund. The note will ensure the donation is directed to Preservation Services. Make checks payable to: Smithsonian Institution. The memo should say: Beth Richwine Fund. Please send checks to:
Stephanie Johnson
Office of External Affairs
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History
PO Box 37012 MRC 619
Washington, DC 20013
For those wishing to make donations to Buffalo State College Foundation, which supports art conservation programs (Beth’s program in grad school was part of Buffalo State College) make checks payable to: Buffalo State College Foundation, Inc. In memo put: Garman Art Conservation Department. Please send checks to:
Garman Art Conservation Department
Buffalo State College
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Rockwell Hall 230
Buffalo, NY 14222
Donors should let Patrick Ravines, the director, know if they are sending a check so that he can make sure it gets to the right fund. His phone number is 1-716-878-4366 and email address is RAVINEPC@BUFFALOSTATE.EDU
Thank you Cynthia Kuniej for informing of the sad news of Beth’s passing. Beth and I shared many adventures together, traveling by train train through Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls and teaching conservation in South Africa in 1993. I was the photographer at Beth’s and Randy’s wedding. But it was the love of conservation that cemented our friendship at Cooperstown where we met and studied. Our last visit in January 2019 was lunch at NMAH. I regret that my good-bye to her was so perfunctory. But then I guess we never know when a good-bye can be permanent.
My thoughts are with Alice and Amy. I will miss her very much.
Lage Carlson, (Buffalo State U. Program 1988)
Beth was a wonderful mentor, and a generous friend. I had the honor of interning in her lab before grad school (which I never would have gotten into without her help), and then working for her the year after graduation. She was always patient, willing to talk through treatment-decision making, and offered advice grounded in her extensive experience. She made a point of eating lunch with her staff nearly every day. One hiliday season, she taught us to make cookie cutters out of scrap aluminum. Though I never had the chance, she also offered to teach us how to make cheese. I am the proud owner of two ceramic bowls, and even after moving away, she sent my son a beautiful knit rabbit after his birth. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and colleagues. Thank you, Diana, for sharing your memories of her!