Remembering Timothy Richardson

A man known for his flexography (rubber stamp printing) mastery, Timothy Richardson was a printing technologist at the Printing Applications Lab for RIT’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies. He recently passed away October 21 at the age of 51. According to RIT Message Center, he came to RIT in 2001 as the flexographic technologist in the lab while additionally teaching classes, holding Flexographic Technical Association seminars and conducting flexography, or flexo, projects for the printing industry. It was not till his later years that he began digital printing after flexo left the printing department.

Even after the printing lab’s departure from flexo, it never left Richardson’s heart. Barbara Giordano, operations manager at the printing lab, describes flexo as Richardson’s first love. The skills from the art of flexo helped him transition to digital printing. Flexo never left his title either. “His business card still stated it [flexographic technologist] even though he was transferred over to the digital area,” said Dan Clark, Print Material Analysis Lab (PMAL) manager. Richardson’s expertise in printing was reflected through his dealings with companies like Exxon mobile, teaching and helping other colleges in RIT. “His last day of work he spent 8 hours over at the flexo lab working with students,” said Giordano.

Besides printing, Richardson was known around the workplace as a chef, hunter, movie buff and “class clown.” He looked forward to annual department cookouts and holiday meals; he would plan them out in excitement the night before and come prepared with spectacular dishes. His love for hunting was also shared by his wife, Kristine Richardson. “Him and his wife on their anniversary, instead of having a nice dinner or something like this, they went out to Pennsylvania. Boar Hunting,” said Clark. “He got like a 425 pound boar and she got a 375 pound boar, that’s how they loved outdoors.”

Tim’s presence is not one to be easily forgotten thanks to his flexo knowledge, work in the printing industry and his loved ones. Among colleagues, he will be remembered as a morale booster who helped make light of any situation and a loving family man. “I think that’s the hardest part right now,” said Clark. “It’s the fact that that part of the atmosphere around here will be missed.”