• Richard Chase

Burlington

Richard Xavier Chase, a resident of Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Monday, September 24, 2018, at the University of Vermont Medical Center. He is remembered by his loving wife, Patricia (“Patsy”) Jamieson; his son, Christopher Daniel Chase; his daughter, Melissa Noel Grabau; and his stepson, Matthew Ross Jamieson. He also leaves behind three grandchildren: Christiana Joan Chase, age 17; Rachel Elizabeth Grabau, age 16; and Callan Jamieson, age 2.

Richard was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on August 18, 1932, to Benjamin Francis Chase and Sarah Anne Chase. He served during the Korean War in the United States Air Force. After an honorable discharge, he went on to complete his undergraduate degree in business at New York University on the GI Bill. Richard then completed his PhD in economics at the University of Maryland. He became a tenured professor of economics at the University of Vermont, where he taught for 30 years and also served several terms as chair of the department. During this time, he mentored students and faculty and published numerous papers in the field of economics. He contributed significantly to economic scholarship, particularly to the history of thought. His particular area of interest was the work of John Maynard Keynes.

Dr. Chase married Joan Lucille Straughsbaugh in 1959. They had two children together: Christopher Daniel Chase, born in 1961, and Melissa Noel Grabau, born in 1965. He was briefly married again before marrying Patsy Jamieson in 1996. They remained happily married for the following 22 years. Patsy faithfully cared for him in his later years and was at his bedside when he passed away.

Dr. Chase will be sorely missed by those he leaves behind. He offered wise council, steadiness of mind and the example of maintaining an avid, interested mind until the end. He kept abreast of world events, read books on history and politics, and always had an interesting, sober take on the unfolding of world events. He remained close to his children and maintained an equally active interest in their lives. He loved travel, history and culture and continued to ski and travel into his late seventies. He was a thoughtful partner to Patsy for many years.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2019. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties. On his behalf, the family would like to thank his physicians, particularly Dr. Halle Sobel, as well as nurses and staff at the University of Vermont Medical Center. The family would also like to thank the nurses, physical therapists and social workers at the Visiting Nursing Association for the compassionate care they provided him during his last few years.