To the Williams Community,
I am sad to report the death of Arline M. Richer, who spent 18 years as a staff member at Williams, retiring in 1998 from her role as a late-night supervisor in Sawyer Library.
Arline died Wednesday and is survived by her husband of 61 years, Edward Richer, and many family members, including her daughter Cindy Kimball, who works in college relations; son-in-law Mark Kimball, in facilities; and grandson Kurt Kimball, in the library. Arline’s daughter Kim Demo LaFlamme is a former Williams employee.
Arline first started working at Williams in 1980 at the snack bar in Baxter Hall. She moved to the night shift on Sawyer’s reserve desk in 1988, and then to the circulation desk in 1990, where she was known as dependable, warm, and friendly by her coworkers and by students, whom she surely saw at their most tired and stressed moments.
Because of her late-night schedule, many folks around the college may not have known that she was a free spirit who loved to travel—whether abroad to Paris or around town on her Harley, sporting a red leather jacket and matching boots.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA, or to any animal rescue or shelter.
Our thoughts are with Arline’s family.
Regards,
Adam Falk
President