Richard L. Nault

Richard L. Nault, 78, of Oxford, Ohio, beloved brother, uncle and godfather, mentor to many and friend to all, passed away on October 21, 2020.

Richard was born to Leo and Audrey Nault on May 10, 1942 in Griffith, Indiana. He graduated from Griffith High School in 1960. He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University (B.A. 1964) and University of Chicago (Ph.D. 1974). 

Richard taught elementary school in Potomac, MD from 1964 to 1970. From 1974 to1982, he was an assistant professor at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, during which time he was also the Founding President of St. Louis’ Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School.

Richard began a long and distinguished career at Miami University in 1983 as Associate Director of the University Honors Program. He later became the Program’s Director, during which time he helped develop the Scholar-Leader Program. In 1992, Richard was named Dean of Students and in 2000, Vice President for Student Affairs, a position he held until he retired in 2008. He served as a faculty adviser to the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity from 1998-2010.  He was honored as the Alumni Association Effective Educator in 1998 and received numerous other awards and recognitions. 

As part of the Miami community, as in all aspects of his life, Richard was a guiding force to many. He formed deep and meaningful relationships with students and colleagues that endure today. He presided at weddings, celebrated births and attended other significant milestones as a “family” member to many. He is remembered for his compassion, humility, faith, professional poise, and grace. He will be dearly missed for his friendly smile and warm hugs, birthday wishes and chocolate chip cookies.

A life-long learner, Richard loved to travel, garden, and read, and he particularly enjoyed the fellowship of his book group.

Richard was a man of deep faith and an active member of Oxford’s Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, serving as Senior Warden from 2013 to 2016. He was a fixture as an usher greeting all with his signature warmth. He chaired the Family Ministry and was instrumental in keeping youth and families connected.

Richard is survived by his sister, Linda Nault Gibson, nephew, Peter D. Gibson and wife Stacie Gibson, niece Erin G. Wagner and husband John Wagner, niece Colleen G. Nicol and husband Thomas Nicol, great nephew Nicholas and wife Hannah, great nephews John Jr. and Ronan, and great nieces Emma, Nora and Dorothy. 

A private Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for close family members. The service also will be livestreamed, with details to be announced when the plans are finalized. An interment in Holy Trinity’s Memory Garden will follow at a later date in 2021.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to either the Miami University Foundation and designated to any fund or area of interest or to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for the Family Ministry Fund.

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