Activist and community organizer Richard Male died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 77. A service was held on January 3, 2023 at BMH-BJ, followed by interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
A native of Port Chester, NY, Mr. Male received degrees from New York University and Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
“He dedicated his life to community organizing, fighting for social justice, improving animal welfare, disability rights and building nonprofit and NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) capacity in many US states and countries around the world,” his family said, “including Ethiopia, Kenya, Botswana, Guatemala, Israel and Mongolia.”
Mr. Male founded the Community Resource Center in Colorado, the Colorado Nonprofit Association and the Colorado Coalition to Save Rural America. He also helped form Community Shares of Colorado, which has over 120 member organizations.
Organizer of the Colorado Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Mr. Male was also involved with the formation of the American Disabilities Act. The ADA was signed into law on Mr. Male’s birthday in 1990.
Mr. Male was a mentor to many in the nonprofit universe, mentoring hundreds of students at DU, UCD, MSU, Hawaii Pacific University and other institutions, in the field of NGOs around the world.
Known for his widespread reach and network, a personal passion led to even more community achievement.
“Shortly before the COVID pandemic began,” his family said, “Rich fulfilled a long-held dream and became a master gardener through the CSU extension service, which then led him to create partnerships with community gardens throughout the Denver metro area.”
Survivors include Mr. Male’s wife Evelyn, whom he married in November, 1985; children Abraham (Jennie), Daniel (Rachel), Sarah (Terry) and Juliadele; and grandchildren Hanna and Noah. He is also survived by his brother Steve.
Contributions may be made to the Seymour and Richard Male Social Change Foundation or BMH-BJ.
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