Richard Coll, Ph.D. - Renaissance Man

Dr. Richard Coll, 66, of Plainfield, died Monday of complications related to Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2004, at 11 a.m.

Dr. Coll was the beloved husband of Joan for 43 years and father of three. Born in Manhattan, a resident of Fanwood and Plainfield for 32 years, Richard found joy in his family and was known to all for his youthful spirit and limitless generosity.

Since 1971, Dr. Coll was a respected university professor with a concentration in computer science. He joined the faculty at Seton Hall, St. Peters, Fordham and NJIT. Richard was as passionate about teaching as he was about learning. An inveterate student, he received his BS in Physics from Fordham in 1958, his MS in Industrial Engineering from the University of South Florida in 1973, and received his MA and doctorate in Psychology from Rutgers, Newark in 1985.

Richard lived his life from a place of abundance and his good nature and zest for living were infectious. He avidly pursued his lifelong interests of competitive fencing, ballroom dancing and cherished vacations that enhanced familial bonding. His appreciation of the arts made him a passionate patron of theatre and opera. In addition, he had a love of fine dining. Cafes Des Artistes ranked among his personal favorites, where he delighted in its romantic murals while savoring quail eggs at the bar.

Richard had a voracious appetite for knowledge. The model do-it-yourselfer/jack of all trades, there was nothing he could not fix nor a situation he could not handle. Staying true to his lifelong motto of a sound mind and a sound body

Richard was a model for healthful living. He was a source of encouragement and the patriarch of the Coll family.

Richard was a man who gave generously of himself and was always sympathetic and understanding of the needs of others. Both inspiring and uplifting, he encouraged his family and those he touched to excel. He was a compassionate proprietor of residential units in several states. His good nature enabled him to always lend a hand with a smile.

Dr. Richard Coll is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Joan (nee Hannigan) Coll, daughters, Catherine-Antoinette and Stacey-Jo and son, John-Peter (Jay); mother-in-law, Josephine Hannigan, sisters, Ashley Coll and Marjorie Coll Prepon, and brother, Dr. Samuel Hoisington, nine grandchildren, and a host of additional loved ones, relatives and friends.

The viewing is scheduled for Friday, January 2, between the hours of 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 209 West 8th Street, Plainfield. The memorial service will be on Saturday, January 3 at 11 am. in the funeral home. Burial at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the International Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia Foundation. Please address donations in Dr. Richard Coll's name to the following address:

International Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia Foundation

3932D Swift Road

Sarasota, FL 34231-6541 (www.iwmf.com)