Richard Earle Lingner

WORCESTER - Richard Earle Lingner, 64, died on February 21, after a short battle with a particularly virulent cancer. He was predeceased by his mother, Sally, who died in 2008, and is survived by his father, Robert Lingner, his three brothers, David, Bobby, and Tom, and his sister, Sue Yacino. He also leaves a host of extended family members and friends, both across the United States and in Singapore, where Rich spent his last twelve years.

Rich was born in Holden, Massachusetts, and spent his formative years in Worcester, graduating from Doherty Memorial High School in 1976. After earning an undergraduate degree in Psychobiology from Beloit College, he bounced around in a wide variety of odd jobs--movie theater manager, driving range attendant, life guard, prep cook, clerk at Spag’s Supply--until his lifelong love of art led Rich to graduate school at Case Western Reserve University. After earning a Master’s in Art History at Case Western, Rich returned to Massachusetts for additional coursework at Boston University. Finally, his vocation aligned with his education and passion when he landed a position as assistant curator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. By the end of his tenure there, one Boston Globe reporter wrote that Rich knew “as much about the history of the Gardner as anyone alive.” The world of art later led Rich to Singapore, where he took a job as chief editor for the Asian Civilisations Museum. At the ACM, Rich was responsible for virtually every word of text that went on a catalog page, a video screen, or a display wall. His work helped to give the museum a distinctive voice and personality.

Rich was never bound by convention or expectations. While a senior at Beloit, he auditioned for, and won--with no previous theatrical experience whatsoever-- the lead role of Orlando in the school's production of As You Like It. In high school, he memorized "Casey at the Bat." His dramatic recitation of that Thayer classic for his parents, siblings, and assorted friends became part of family lore. Rich's leisure pursuits were similarly eclectic and atypical. For many years, he was an avid fan of NASCAR, attending races at several of the most famous tracks in the eastern United States, including Loudon and Talladega. While living in Singapore, Rich developed a keen interest in women's golf, particularly in the Korean Tour players. His trips back to the U.S. in recent years often included a couple days at an LPGA major tournament, in addition to--but perhaps not secondary to--visiting with his friends and relatives. His tastes in music ran from barbershop to K-Pop, and his keen ear for new and alternative music had an enormous influence on all who knew him. He was an excellent cook with a specialty in pizzas with surprising but delicious topping combinations. Throughout Rich's life, though, he was an ardent fan of the Boston Red Sox, starting with his first visit to Fenway Park in 1968 to see his favorite player, Carl Yastrzemski.

Every year of Rich's life--with the sole exception of the Covid years of 2020 and 2021--he joined his original family for a week at their beach cottage in Ocean Park, Maine. Times there have provided some of the most cherished memories for all of Rich's siblings. At the cottage, his speed and breadth of knowledge at the home edition of Jeopardy! is legendary. He was also quite formidable at Scrabble and the wide variety of board and card games contested every August. Perhaps most famous of all was Rich's skill and power with a Frisbee. In a family of strong throwers who developed their techniques in often robust coastal winds, Rich was the best. His absence from the tidal flat will be profoundly felt.

Rich left us far too soon, but his vibrant, outgoing personality, his endearing eccentricities, and his generosities of spirit, time, knowledge and money will resonate forever in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him. A memorial service to celebrate Rich’s life will be held at Porter Hall in Ocean Park, Maine, from 2:00-4:00 PM on Saturday, June 10.