Richard G. Mintz
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with deep sorrow the death April 20, 2011 of former Life Trustee and Honorary Member, Richard G. Mintz.
Richard and his wife Evvajean became WHOI Associates in 1992. Richard served as a Member of the Corporation from 1994 to 1995, when he was elected an Honorary Member of the Corporation. He was elected an Honorary Trustee (now known as Life Trustee) in 2000. Richard served as a member of the Nominating Committee from 1997 to 2003; he was a former member of the Bylaw Review Committee, and he also participated in the WHOI Science Partnership Program.
Richard G. Mintz was born September 26, 1921. He was one of two children and the only son of the late Herman Arthur and Esther Marion (Gordon) Mintz; he was raised in the North End and lived in and around Boston his entire life. Richard attended Phillips Academy and entered Harvard College in 1939. At the onset of World War II, he left school to join the U.S. Navy. After completing flight training, he was commissioned as an officer and designated a Naval Aviator. Following the war, he returned to Harvard, earning his law degree, cum laude. Richard then joined Mintz, Levin, and Cohn, where his father was one of the founding partners. Richard was a partner with the firm, now known as Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo PC, for more than 60 years, and he continued to work until just days before his death. He earned a reputation as an excellent and unfailingly fair attorney who cared deeply about everyone.
His past and current community activities included: the James Jackson Putnam Center (Board and President); American Jewish Committee (Boston Board and Chapter Chairman); Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston (Lawyer Division Chair); Newton Charter Commission (elected); Prince Building Condominium Trust (Board and President); Vilna Shul-Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture (Board and President); Kenneth B. Schwartz Center (Leadership Counsel); and Discovering Justice (founding member of the Board of Trustees).
An avid traveler, Richard and his wife, Evvajean, visited more than 60 countries and all but three of the 50 states. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters: Patricia “Patty” Mintz; and Amy Record; two stepchildren: James Malter; and Valerie Malter; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for May 29, 2011. Those wishing to remember Richard may make a memorial donation to: Discovering Justice; Kenneth B. Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, Vilna Shul; Harvard College or Law School; and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.