Richmond Mayo-Smith of Boston passed away peacefully at home on January 10, 2015 at the age of 92. He will be remembered as a wise, kind, thoughtful and generous person. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Fox Mayo-Smith, with whom he has spent 65 loving and adventurous years; three children and their spouses, Richmond and My Duc, Michael and Janet, and Katrina Michael, along with 6 grandchildren, Michael, Leslie, Maxwell, My An, My Tam and My Xuan, for whom he was a devoted grandfather. Growing up in Dedham MA, he graduated from Noble & Greenough School and then summa cum laude from Amherst College, class of 1944. He served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery as staff sergeant seeing combat in France, Belgium and Germany. He then began a lifelong career in education beginning with his position teaching science at Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter NH from1946-62. During this time he obtained his Masters in Education from Harvard University in 1950. He then traveled with his family to India working at the University of Delhi preparing science curriculum and textbooks for grades 1-4. Fascinated by the culture of India and the opportunities to both learn from and contribute to that country he remained in India for another two years, working for the non-profit World Education in adult literacy programs. He returned to the US in 1965 to become Headmaster of Roxbury Latin School in West Roxbury through 1973. He sponsored a Tibetan refugee, Kuncho Palsang, who with his wife (Yeshey) and daughters (Jampa and Tenley) became part of the family. He continued to contribute in innumerable ways to education on the national and international levels. He served on the Boards of Noble & Greenough School, Chestnut Hill School, Shady Hill School, Fairweather School, Advent School, Sant Bani School of Sanbornton NH, The Children's Art Center, The Independent School Association of MA, the Educational Enrichment Program and the Bridge Fund. He served on the Board of World Education six years as chair (1975-2005) and in 2006 received the World Education Award in recognition of Outstanding Service and Support of their mission of improving adult literacy across the world.
Richmond wrote; "Watching young people grow up has been my greatest pleasure. The possibility of making the world a better place for the next generation is for me both the major challenge of the human species and its unique capacity. Some of the most enjoyable moments of my life have been working with friends in efforts to act positively on the question, 'How to save the world for the children?'"
With this motivation, in 1981 he helped organize STOP Nuclear War (Students, Teachers Organized to Prevent Nuclear War), bringing together students and educators from across the country in this effort, serving as chair of its national board. He was a driving force behind the organization of Educators for Social Responsibility, the sister organization to Physicians for Social Responsibility, which received the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to reduce the risk of nuclear war. He served as chair of its national board for six years.
Committed to integrity in government he also worked for Common Cause/MA from 1974-1978, serving as chair of its board in 1978. Driven by an interest in better understanding new worldviews he worked with spiritual leaders and organizations from around the world. He served as chair of the board for Center for Psychology and Social Change and on the board of Marion Foundation.
A memorial service will at the Exchange Conference Center, 212 Northern Avenue, Boston MA Sunday January 25, 2015 at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mayo-Smith Tree Fund, Friends of the Boston Public Garden (69 Beacon St, Boston MA 02108, friendsofthepublicgarden.org).