Albert Richard Casavant, Jr.
Richard Casavant, age 77, died peacefully and with the utmost grace at his home in Atlanta, Georgia on March 31, 2020. At his side were his wife Jane and his son John, and his constant canine companion, Archie. He was also surrounded with love from his son David and other family and friends.
Since he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2018, Richard remained insistent that his death never be described as his “losing a valiant and courageous battle with cancer”. Rather, he preferred to say that any battle would result in no better than a tie, since he “intended to take this sucker down with me.” Richard indeed embraced life to the fullest over the last two years, marveling at parts of the world he never thought he would ever see (or even want to see), relishing every adventure, and bravely consuming every bit of odd food presented to him (“odd” being almost anything other than his beloved spaghetti and meatballs).
Richard was born on June 23, 1942, in Athens, Tennessee, to the late Albert Richard (“Cas”) Casavant and Nancye Ewing Casavant. He was a 1960 graduate of Chattanooga City High, and although a speedy running back for the high school football team, he recognized that his short stature was not likely to result in a lifelong football career. Therefore, he wisely switched his focus to business and education, receiving a B.A. in Economics from Emory University in 1964, an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1966, and a Ph.D. in Marketing from Georgia State University in 1976. With his various degrees, Richard often self-deprecatingly said that he was educated beyond his intelligence. Following his graduation from Wharton, he served in the United States Air Force, Medical Service Corps, as a 1st Lieutenant and Medical Supply Officer from 1966-1969.
In 1976, Richard began a successful and fulfilling 30-plus year teaching career at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, first as an Associate Professor of Marketing, ultimately becoming the Alan Lorberbaum Professor of Marketing, Director of the UTC Family Business Center, and the John Staigmaier Chair and Dean of the College of Business, retiring as Dean in 2010. During his tenure at UTC, he fostered and promoted the concept of individual entrepreneurship, creating a distinct curriculum and innovative programs, resulting in UTC becoming one of the first fifty colleges in the United States to have such a curriculum.
Richard was also devoted to public service, serving on the Signal Mountain, Tennessee Town Council for six years, and then serving three four-year terms as a Commissioner on the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners (1998-2010, Chair in 2002-2003. He passionately advocated that quality education was available to all, and he dedicated the majority of his years in public service to establishing a public middle/high school for the citizens of his community in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. One of his proudest achievements was the opening of Signal Mountain Middle-High School in 2008. For all his efforts in furtherance of the school, he was honored in 2015 with the opening of the Richard Casavant Media and Enrichment Center, although he dryly noted that the creative genes in the Casavant family primarily resided in his two sons, his father, and his siblings, since he “could barely play the radio”.
He is survived by his adoring wife, Jane Jordan Casavant; his sons John Richard Casavant (Gregory Spears) and David Michael Casavant, both of New York City, New York; brothers Charles Casavant of Charlottesville, VA and Brett Casavant (Angela) of Athens, Tennessee; sister Carol Casavant (Robert Behal) of Troy, Idaho; nephews Jay Casavant of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Chaiyim Casavant (Brittney) and Yada Casavant of Athens, Tennessee; Abner Casavant (Hannah) of Boulder, Colorado; nieces Mary Anderson Casavant (Scott Wilson) of New York City, New York, Havilah Johnson (Dave) of California, and Elana Casavant of Alpharetta, Georgia, his great-nieces and nephews, and of course Archie, his devoted Basset Hound.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Dorothy (Wendy) Nixon Casavant; his brother Edward Casavant and his sister-in-law Phyllis Casavant.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Mountain Education Fund in Signal Mountain, Tennessee P.O. Box 81, Signal Mountain, TN 37377 or on its website at www.meftoday.org.
In light of the current pandemic health crisis, a memorial service cannot be held at this time but will be scheduled at a later date, to be held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
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To Jane and Boys,
Richard was a dear friend, incredible Clifton Board member, the best travel mate on our Baltic Cruise and so smart, patient and witty. He endured Jane’s and my shoe indulgences with remarkable and loving laughs every time we bought another pair. He was a treasure and I was so blessed to know him and enjoy his wonderful life with you.
Much, much love,
Anne Barge Clegg
To Jane and Boys,
Richard was a dear friend, incredible Clifton Board member, the best travel mate on our Baltic Cruise, so smart, patient and witty. He endured Jane’s and my shoe indulgences with love and laughter every single time, I will miss our dinners at Babette’s and every single moment of knowing this truly wonderful man. My love and prayers are with you all now and always.
Much love,
Anne
Oh, Jane my heart hurts for you. Al always referred to Richard’s and your life as a fairy tale. It was incredible how you found each other again, and then lived fully with the majic of the love you had for other. I’m so very sorry that you have lost your prince. Please feel some hugs.of strength and sympathy from me. And, continue to get cuddles from Archie. You are in my thoughts, Jane.
Jane – Very sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. Please know that when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure! Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. – Wendi Clouse
To Jane, John, and David, I am so very deeply sorry for your loss of an incredible husband and father. He truly made a awesome difference in the world for his family and community. Words cannot express how much I love this family and wishing and praying for peace and comfort for you all at this time! -Love Reagan Schmissrauter
Jane and the Family,
Oh how my heart hurts for your during this time. May the memories hold your hands and turn your tears to smiles. May you find peace in his eternal healing and allow his legacy to give birth to anything that will make this world better.
Love you Jane
I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Richard very well until Dr. Paul Nolan introduced us when he was running for County Commissioner. We became friends and he became one of my ten bosses. We had many interesting conversations about County Government, County Budgets, Government Finance and people in general. He always had good ideas and good advice. He was my friend and I will miss him.
I’ll will miss my uncle alot and he’s up there with his brother Edward casavant and his dad and his mom looking down watching us
Jane, my heart aches in your incredibly-saddening circumstances. Take heart as you can, sweet Jane. Please know that there are people outside your life now who are praying for your recovery from this unimaginable loss.God bless you and your family.
Oh Jane. I am so sorry to hear about Richard’s death. My deepest sympathies are with you and John and David during this sad time.
May the comfort and peace of God help you through this time. I hope you feel surrounded by much love.
Love and praying comfort to surround you.
Jane
Richard and I were City High football and high school classmates at City; we were both halfbacks-I was right halfback and Richard was left halfback. We were on Coach Rohdantz and Buzzard first team at City and we had a winning season of 6 and 4, which was so unusual for City since it was a basketball school. So sorry.
Sweet Jane!
My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry that Richard had to leave. You & Richard had such a wonderful life together and you extended his life by years & years keeping him young & excited for every new adventure. You squeezed more in your life together than most people have in twice as many years. Greg & I wish we could be there with you to give you hugs & support. We enjoyed spending time with both of you in January. Richard looked so good then. This happened all too fast. Know we love you and will get with you when we can. 😘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Love,
Janet
Jane, so sorry to get the email about your loss–what a wonderful tribute, however. Nothing I can say here really–just know in your grief that thoughts and prayers are w/ you today. Be well–and remember fondly as you obviously will…
Rick
Dearest Jane, I cannot even imagine the depth of loss you are feeling. Our Love and Prayers are with you and Richard’s dear sons and ALL who love Richard. Your posts of a life well lived and loved have been inspiring, a legacy he leaves for so many. Holding you all (and Archie) in Sacred Space as you navigate this new road.
Love,
Linda and Alan
So sorry, Jane.
Jane
Hoping you will find peace and comfort in all the
wonderful memories you had with Richard through
the years. I know what you are going through as our
family lost Roger only 3 months ago.
During these most difficult times I hope you will
find strength in knowing you have friends who care
about you. My blessing to everyone.
Jane, I am so sorry you have lost your dearest friend. I can’t imagine the loss of your Prince. I am so glad you were finally united in marriage and enjoyed many adventures together. Please know that you are in my heart and in my prayers. Focus on your gratitude for the time well spent together. I console myself with the idea that the day my son passed after 2 years of cancer treatments was the day his pain ended. That was a blessing as well as deep sorrow. He will always be with you. Always.
Heartfelt sympathies from former Signal Mountain neighbors. Richard was always such a delightful presence and devoted community servant. Peace and love to his beloveds.
Dearest Jane,
I am so sorry for your loss. I believe I met your husband at one of the reunions and obviously didn’t know him beyond that brief meeting. Your lovely and eloquent tribute though, gives me some insight into how special he was, and coming from you and your sweetest of hearts, I know that he was a wonderful man and partner to you.
I hope you know how much I have always adored and admired you. Right now I my heart is very sad and I am wishing very hard for you to heal as quickly as possible from this loss. God bless you and your family, Jane.
With Love and Always Great Memories of You,
Mickey Long
Jane
Joan and I will miss his smile and remember his gentleness.
Joan/Mike Bernardino
Jane,
Richard was my little brother at ATO in ATL at Emory. We were in service for 2yrs together 1966-1968.
More important my life long friend
My heart and prayers go out to you and the Casavant family .
Agape,
Joe Mlller
Jane, my heart is with you in this time of sorrow. It is a loss that can only be comforted by your rich and loving memories. Know that you are dearly loved and cherished by friends and family.
Jane, I am so sorry you lost Richard, and my condolences go out to you and John and David. Richard was a good
friend, a great Dean in the UTC College of Business, and a tremendous civic leader. He looked out for me, advised me, and collaborated with me when I arrived in Chattanooga. He will be remembered and missed by all of us. Pat and I have you in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Jane, although I did not know your husband, he was obviously well accomplished, a leader, a mentor to others and a loving and kind husband and companion. We feel for your loss and will pray for you and your extended family. Although there is much grieving to come, the time will arrive when you will be able to look back on your time with him and cherish the wonderful memories and the love shared by the two of you. With friendship and love, Chip Sellers.
So sorry for your loss but happy for the joy you shared with one another and the world.
Richard was a courageous champion of public education, voting time and again to support Hamilton County’s schools and students. His legacy culminated in his courageous and outspoken support for a public high school on Signal.
He was a dear friend and will be greatly missed. God bless and keep you.
Richard was an incredible leader who truly believed EVERY child deserved a quality education. He devoted many years to public service and for that I am forever grateful. My sympathy to his family. May he Rest In Peace.
Dear David, John, and Jane — I am so sorry to hear this news. David and John, I hate that you have now lost your mother and father. I remember well how much they both loved you.
Jane, I do not know you, but I still remember running into Richard at the grocery store after I had left St. Timothy’s and him telling me about reconnecting with you and his upcoming marriage. I remember because he was so happy, and it was so wonderful to see his eyes filled with joy again.
I am in Atlanta now (rector of St. Dunstan’s) and would love to attend the memorial service when life finally gets back to quasi-normal again. Peace to you all.
To vote for Richard was the only time I ever voted in a Republican primary. He served us all but served the students and public education as the champion he was
Jane,
My deepest sympathy to you an the boys. I worked for Richard from 2001 until he retired from UTC. He was a great Dean to the UTC College of Business and his work lives on today.
My deep sympathies.
Jane my fervent hope and wish for you are strength, courage and ultimately peace. I am currently walking the same road you are on and I know it is an impossible and after 2 and1/2 months I wish I could tell you it has gotten easier. Just know my heart is with you and I will continue to offer my prayers. Richard and I were fraternity brothers years ago and I always considered him afriend, a person of character, and someone to be admired. I wish the very best for you and your family. Bill
Jane, John, and David,
I’m so sadden to hear of your loss. Richard was a great colleague at UTC. He was also a fair and great Dean in the College of Business at UTC, and was always someone you could turn to when problems arose. He will be missed. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and the rest of the family.
Jane: Richard was a true gentlemen and a great friend. His quiet and calm way of getting things done
was amazing. He meant so much to me, to the College of Business, and to this community. I talked with him last
October/November; it was always so refreshing to hear his voice. Again, a true friend to me and Barbara. Our thoughts and prayers go to you and the boys.
Your Mom and Uncle were loved.
Richard was a great friend and collaborator. Our greatest accomplishment together was not ours alone but rather the community coming together and building the outstanding SMMHS. I will always cherish the many, many talks we had from then until now. He was and is a mentor to me. Our blessings to his entire family.
To Jane and sons,
Richard will be missed terribly for his great contribution to the world and the incredible love he exhibited to his family. I thank you both for modeling such a love before us all.
Jane – although I only had opportunity to meet Richard a few times, I could tell after we spent some time together at the Mackinaw Island Policy Conference, how perfect you were for each other. I am so very sorry for your loss and send my warmest thoughts and deepest sympathies to you and the family. Wishing you strength and peace during this difficult time. Warmest regards, Dawn Geisert
Jane,
Barbara and I are thinking of you at this difficult time. If I had your cell I would have called earlier but need contact information..
Take care of yourself and know we care.
David Zacks
Jane, John, David and sweet Archie – I woke up this morning to the sad news of your loss. I so enjoyed Richard the few times I was able to enjoy his welcoming and witty company. He was always so gracious in sharing Jane with her friends during our weekends away – which I miss dearly. I have always admired the great love he showed for all of you. Thinking of you all during this time. Sending hugs your way. Shari and Rutledge
Our deepest sympathies to Jane , David, John and family.
Richard was a good friend and mentor to me. It was an honor serving with him on the Hamilton County Commission. He was undoubtedly one of the most intelligent, thought provoking person I will ever know. Patsy and I extent our prayers to the family during this time.
One of my favorite professors at UTC! He was an excellent educator and an outstanding leader in his community. My son had the privilege of being under his leadership in more recent years at the university. Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.
Jane ,
I met your husband during a presentation
I made to the county commissioners several years ago . I had no idea he was your husband .He was a great man and a rare man of integrity . Although these are dark times , I’m sure your heart will heal . I am sorry for your loss .
Praying for all during your time of grieving.
Mrs Casavant & Family,
Your husband/dad was my college marketing professor. In fact he was the person that made me think differently about how I may chart my entrepreneurial course. His classes were the most valuable of my education at UTC and I consider him to be one of the very best teachers I ever met. I’m saddened that i didn’t know he was right here in Atlanta. Please accept my condolences and my family’s prayers for your family. With Respect, Dan Nolan III (I am Andy Nolan’s nephew)
This is so sad. I only knew Richard by his reputation and his brother, Edward. I am convinced by his actions, he was an advocate for the underdogs in the world. I am so sorry for his loved ones’ loss. Richard was a great man in my eyes and the eyes of others. So sorry for your loss. James Michael (Mike) Carter
Jane, Jon, David and Family,
My heart hurts for you…Jane..I was there when the fairy tale came true and witnessed something so beautiful…I pray that God holds you close, gives you strength and peace.
Love you much,
Richard was more than my Dean – my boss – at UTC. He was someone who cared. He cared about me personally and went out of his way to help me in my role at UTC many times. He didn’t have to do the things he did for me; rather, he did them because he cared about me, the College of Business, and the students. I am grateful to him. So, I add my gratitude to him along with thousands of students and scores of faculty members whose lives he made better, often behind the scenes and in ways that we will never know about. Please find comfort that he left a legacy of positive ripple effects in the lives of thousands that will carry on long into the future. How many students are now working in careers that they may never have been able to pursue if Richard had not continually focused on building the College of Business and developing its educational offerings? His impact on the lives of thousands was huge and continues to be powerful. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Jane,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Jane, So sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you in this time of great sadness. Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.Remain steadfast in your faith to help get you through this time of sorrow. Hugs to you and your family! A member of your Beaumont CARIS Team.
Dear Jane and Casavant family, So sorry for the loss of your loved one. Thoughts and prayers are with all of the family members during this most difficult time.
Chris Turak
Thoughts and Prayers for everyone in the family.
Dear David, John and Jane,
Richard was a champion for education. Signal Mountain and Hamilton County will always be grateful for his leadership. As a Commissioner, he would listen to our concerns and respectfully agree or disagree. He lead with wisdom, integrity and understanding.
Sending our love and sympathy,
Jean and Bill Trohanis
Dear Jane,
I am thinking of you during this incredibly difficult time. It is clear from the many beautiful notes that you and Richard shared something very special. May the joy you found together as a couple sustain you during this very difficult time. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy,
Julie Fream
Dear Jane,
Remembering the times at the condo hanging out with the Angels, and Richard joining in to say hello and have a good time. The love you had with Richard is a wonderful example to us all on living life to its fullest. My thoughts and prayers are with you, John, and David. Hugs to Archie from Maddy and Riley. I know Archie will be of great comfort to you. Hugs and warm regards.
Dear Jane,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved husband. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the office once and I could see that he was a wonderful person. I am certain that you have many cherished memories that you can hold onto as treasures. A scripture that has given me comfort when I have lost a loved one says “the father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our trials…..with the comfort we receive from God.” I hope and pray that you may find peace and comfort.
With warm regards and deep sympathy,
Kimberly Reed-Johnson