John Grissen Richardson

JOHN GRISSEN RICHARDSON, age 82, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, friend, teacher, and scholar, slipped away peacefully on the morning of July 9, 2026, with family and friends by his side.

John was born in Los Angeles, California, to Joseph Grissen Richardson and Erie Louise Park on July 4, 1944. He grew up in San Francisco and spent the last 52 years in Bellingham, Washington.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Geraldine Walker; daughters, Genevieve Richardson, Anne Richardson, and Nicole Lemke-Richardson, and their spouses; his brother, Kennedy Richardson; and grandchildren, Ella and Iza Lemke, and Ian Richardson.

As a professor of sociology at Western Washington University for 35 years, John will be remembered as the “favorite professor” of many students and a respected colleague by his academic peers internationally. He had an insatiable passion for learning and its power to increase social equality. After his retirement, he continued to participate in academic conferences and to write, collaborating on the publication of journal articles and two additional books. He also continued to mentor former students, encouraging them to pursue advanced degrees and take positions at universities around the world.

From his years at Lowell High School until he stepped off the courts just a few years ago, John remained a formidable tennis player with a killer serve and disorienting slice, enjoying weekly matches and lunches at the Colophon with his tennis buddies for the last 10 years. His athletic pursuits also included completing two half-marathons and never passing up an opportunity to jump into any body of water, no matter how cold. In his early twenties, he became enamored with sculpture and engaged in the Oakland art community, becoming a lifelong carver of beautiful wood and stone sculptures, with his work being displayed at local galleries. And he was also a collector of rocks, though he would say stones - many, many rocks - and an admirer of the majestic beauty of trees. He treasured friendship, gaining and remaining close to so many from every chapter of his life, from his school days through retirement.

He touched so many lives in ways that will never be forgotten. Everyone who knew him continues to benefit from his big heart, great mind, and unbeatable sense of humor.

A gathering to honor John will take place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse. In lieu of flowers, donations to Whatcom Hospice Foundation are encouraged.