Contributions to the tribute of Richard B. Umansky

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Stu Stier posted a condolence

Monday, August 28, 2023

I worked with Rich at WBBH-TV in Fort Myers, Florida in the mid-1980s. He was a fun guy. He stayed at my house in Tampa in 1991, when the Super Bowl was in town and he was doing camera. He made it two days and one night, until my cats (who crawled over and played with any stationary object, including people) got him and he left for calmer space.

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Steve Barreres posted a condolence

Sunday, September 29, 2019

I investigated the accident that took the life of Rich, at the height of his career as a network television camera operator. To celebrate his life is all we are able to do today. I knew him very well as I was assigned to many of those College Football games that Rich work so hard on. I would love to correspond with any of Rich's family or friends. You can find me at the following address: k2cx@arrl.net Steve Barreres, Retired NABET-CWA Director Health and Safety

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The family of Richard B. Umansky uploaded a photo

Thursday, June 29, 2017

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Skip Hansen posted a condolence

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Dear Thelma, I am praying for you and your family at this time of such deep sorrow. What a terrible loss to all of you. Please know that the whole Interfaith community will be with you in prayer this day and many to follow. May you find peace in the love of God. Skip Hansen

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Evelyn Lemaszewski RN posted a condolence

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Mr and Mrs Umansky, My heart saddens to hear of your loss of your son. I didn't know him, but if he was anyhing like his Dad, "Harold", I'm sure he was a fine, gentle and caring man. I will pray for you to have the strength you need to move forward, and will pray for Richard. May his memory be eternal. Evelyn Lemaszewski RN

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Lenny Nathan posted a condolence

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

I remember when I was in the field as a production manager and Rich was a utility working our events. When I found out he was doing camera I did all I could to get him onto shows as a camera op way back in the early 90's. He had a great work ethic in that you always knew that if Rich was there the job would get done and done well. I used to yell at him back in the early days when I heard he took utility gigs and I tried to hammer home to him that to get the respect of producers and directors he was better off not letting them see him on a crew list as a cable puller or they may shy away from using him on camera. He just wanted to be part of a show, an event, in any way he could. He became a truly superior camera operator and was well respected by all those in production at ABC Sports. Before I retired from ABC Sports he would often call me and I would hear that raspy Rodney Dangerfield voice go, "Hey, how ya doin'"?. I would always say "who's this?" of course never being able to mistake that it was his voice. He would answer, "it's me, Rich." And of course, just to give him a hard time I would say "Rich who?." I will miss knowing he's not out there on camera and I know the entire TV community will miss him. Lenny Nathan

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Lenny Nathan posted a condolence

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

I remember when I was in the field as a production manager and Rich was a utility working our events. When I found out he was doing camera I did all I could to get him onto shows as a camera op way back in the early 90's. He had a great work ethic in that you always knew that if Rich was there the job would get done and done well. I used to yell at him back in the early days when I heard he took utility gigs and I tried to hammer home to him that to get the respect of producers and directors he was better off not letting them see him on a crew list as a cable puller or they may shy away from using him on camera. He just wanted to be part of a show, an event, in any way he could. He became a truly superior camera operator and was well respected by all those in production at ABC Sports. Before I retired from ABC Sports he would often call me and I would hear that raspy Rodney Dangerfield voice go, "Hey, how ya doin'"?. I would always say "who's this?" of course never being able to mistake that it was his voice. He would answer, "it's me, Rich." And of course, just to give him a hard time I would say "Rich who?." I will miss knowing he's not out there on camera and I know the entire TV community will miss him. Lenny Nathan

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Mark Williams posted a condolence

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Hello, My thoughts will be with you and on Richie tomorrow. I worked college football games for ABC with Richie for the last 10 years or so. I'm so saddened at his passing and share your dispair. I wrote a note to some of the other ABC crew members yesterday and thought I'd pass it on to you. November 24, 2003 I remember Richie. At the Tallahassee airport early that Sunday morning. Smiling (?) and off to his plane in a baseball hat, his Nautica jacket, his latest souvenir t-shirt, blue jean shorts, tennis shoes. Same as the other 100 times I saw him. Others knew him longer and better. I was just close enough to him to only enjoy my time around him. I knew who I would likely see and sit with at lunch on game day and looked forward to it. It was always great, and not too often, when he would shoot the game from the booth and I’d get to hang with him all game long. It sounds weird, but I liked to watch him work and would sneak peaks at him once in a while as he concentrated on his work. We knew we were working in rarefied air. I chuckled inside when he kind of quickly and clumsily flirted with a pretty co-ed in the booth a few games back. His Yankees and Marlins in the World Series this year. Him getting a chance to work it. He was really happy. What a job he had and a life he lived. I admire him for 1) earning a living wearing shorts and 2) moving to Florida while he was young and finding a job he was good at and seemingly enjoyed so much. Ok, so it wasn’t always clear, but you know he fed on the work like we all do. I look back over my years with ABC and for some reason, Richie stands out to me. It’s the little things. He had a great name. He was about my age, had a physique like mine for a long time, often wore shorts, was a road warrior like us all, an involved leader among his peers, a dedicated pro, and the kind of guy that a guy from California, like me, envisions being around on a sports broadcast out of New York. It doesn’t get much better for me. He was such a character. Thankfully, I cherished my time with him, knowing how precious life is. And how could I not enjoy doing what we do and who Richie was to me. As David said, there was only one Richie, and I dug him. I wasn’t surprised to hear that his accident happened when he went back to cover his camera at the end of the night. And finding out today that he signed-on as an organ donor comforts me a little. I don’t think I’ll ever work another game and not think of him. My life was enriched having known him. I didn’t realize how much I’d miss him until he was gone. My best wishes to you all. Mark Williams 223 Oakhurst Place Menlo Park, California

Richard B. Umansky

1955 - 2003

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