Richard Alvin Nair

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather Richard “Rich” Alvin Nair was born May 18, 1939 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and welcomed by parents Donald and Elizabeth (Sofranko) Nair and older brother Donald. After a fairly typical small town childhood Rich moved out of state to Baltimore, Maryland and put down roots that endured for the rest of his life. Rich had one marriage, one family, one career, and one hometown. But his life was far from average, marked instead by achievement, courage, drive, and a lifelong zest for learning and adventure. Rich didn't plan to go to college after finishing Latrobe High School. But his father, along with brother Donald, already a college student, encouraged him to enroll in college. Richard was only the second person in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree when he graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1962. In later years he convinced members of his extended family that their children would also benefit from higher education. Although his job as a Mathematics teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools kept him busy, Rich regularly went back home to Latrobe to visit with family and friends. It was on one of those visits when a mutual friend introduced Rich to Regina “Jean” Bulebush. They fell in love and married in 1965. Their family grew quickly after the arrival of fraternal twins Darcy and Doug (a big surprise at a time) followed by son Richard 2 years later. With a demanding career, a mortgage, and 3 kids under 5, nobody would blame Rich for doing the usual Dad things in his meager spare time such as falling asleep in a favorite chair in front of the television during football games or Get Smart reruns. He did do those things but he also started (and finished) the ultimate DIY project, an addition that doubled the size of the family home. Summers were marked by ambitious family road trips to Nova Scotia, the Grand Canyon, and Florida. Rich began distance road running “just to get in shape,” joined the Baltimore Road Runners, and became a bit of a trailblazer at the forefront of the 1970s Fitness Revolution. As usual Rich went all in and the MD Marathon was just the beginning. Soon Rich was qualifying for the Boston Marathon and chasing the extreme challenge: the under 3-hour marathon. (Of course, he achieved it. Twice.) His long and successful running career culminated with being named Baltimore Road Runners (BRRC) Master's Division Runner of the Year, participating in the Senior Olympics in 1996 and being named to the BRRC Hall of Fame. He also loved the outdoors, hiking the Grand Canyon, the John Muir Trail, and visiting numerous national parks. Who knows how much farther Rich would have gone had he not suffered a catastrophic dissected aorta days before the new millennium. Rich beat enormous odds and made a nearly full recovery. While he wasn’t physically able to race again he made the most of his remaining 24 years; enjoying time with his grandkids and a succession of black Labrador Retrievers, (Max, Buddy, and Josie) moving into his dream home in the woods, buying a tractor, and traveling with Jean. With Jim and Lee Stephens and other friends Rich and Jean explored dozens of countries throughout Europe and Asia. Rich died peacefully on June 27, 2024 at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife Regina B. Nair; children Darcy Nair, her husband Glenn Tucker, Doug Nair, Rich Nair, and his wife Julie M. Nair; grandchildren Nathan Nair, Emily Nair, and Elizabeth Tucker; his brother Donald Nair, and his dog Josie

Richard Alvin Nair

May 18, 1939 - June 27, 2024

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Richard Alvin Nair

May 18, 1939 - June 27, 2024

About Us

What We Do

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Grief & Healing

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