Dr. Richard "Rich" Raspet

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford Dr. Richard “Rich” Raspet, 76, passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023, in Oxford, Mississippi. The memorial service celebrating his life will occur on Sunday, February 04, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford. A time of visitation will occur immediately following the service from 3:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford Whatever pursuit he was involved in, be it research, teaching, bicycling, volunteer animal rescue, environmental preservation, competitive running, building model planes or a myriad of other interests, Rich was widely known, admired, loved and respected for his unwavering focus and commitment, awe-inspiring consistency, joy, and kindness. If Rich said he was going to do something, you could count on it, he would not let you down. Regardless of any weather, Rich always showed up. Rich always showed up for everything. And he was never late. Rich was born in upstate New York, and as a child moved with his family to the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville where he attended Starkville public schools. At Rhodes College, Memphis Tennessee, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction, and then went on to earn his Doctorate in Physics from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Soon after, Rich accepted a position as Physicist in the Environmental Division of The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign Illinois. It was there he met co-worker and his future wife Wendy. Rich and Wendy married in Urbana Illinois in 1983, and embarked on a life together that would span the next forty years filled with shared love of nature, scientific inquiry, music, rescue dogs, friends, support of important causes, and every day wonders. In 1987 Rich joined the faculty of the Physics Department of the University of Mississippi in Oxford as an Associate Professor, eventually becoming full professor. His academic home on campus was the University's National Center for Physical Acoustics (NCPA). In recognition of his research, teaching, and service accomplishments, Rich was awarded the honor of Distinguished Faculty Fellow in the College of Liberal Arts, in 2007. His main area of research was investigation of how sound travels, and how to accurately measure sound. Rich's scientific contributions in acoustics were vast, with publications on topics ranging from atomic nuclei, to aircraft sonic booms, and atmospheric turbulence. His work has applications in fields from national defense to weather prediction to the study of animal behavior. He continued to conduct research and mentor students as an Emeritus Professor until his passing. He was a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America. Rich was an avid, decorated, and devoted cyclist with over 100 career victories to his name, multiple state-level and regional championships, multiple national Best AllAround Rider awards, and he was a Masters National Champion. He thrived on the competition and camaraderie of the cycling world. He was a true advocate for cycling and was infinitely influential with his patience, generosity, and wisdom when it came to developing those new to or interested in the sport – of which there were many. At the peak of his racing career, he covered 10,000 miles a year on his bicycle. Rich was a key member and left an indelible mark on each of the most successful amateur teams that have existed in the southeast including the elite Herring Gas Cycling team. He frequently supported charity rides across the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee, but Rich was always most comfortable riding his beautiful, rural home roads in Lafayette County, Mississippi. With a tender heart, Rich was devoted to saving any creature in need. He was known for stopping high speed bike rides to help turtles cross the road, including snapping turtles. He once circled back to free an owl that had been caught in a barbed wire fence. In semi-retirement, Rich worked as a volunteer with a network of local animal rescue groups. He drove abandoned, injured and stray cats and dogs to other states, where they were welcomed into their forever homes. At the time of his passing he had just purchased and outfitted a van for this endeavor. He worked throughout his life to preserve nature and its beauty, a passion he shared with Wendy. Together, they turned their 100 acres of land in Oxford into a private nature preserve through a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy of Mississippi. Although it was too soon for those who loved him, Rich died as he would have wished, while riding his bike. He died of natural causes. Dr. Raspet is survived by his wife Wendy; his sister, Jan, and her husband, Jack; his brother, David, and his wife, Janet; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family members. Dr. Raspet was preceded in death by his parents, August Raspet and Mabel Raspet. Donations in memory of Rich may be made to the Richard Raspet Memorial Scholarship Endowment. The scholarship is designated for students in the College of Liberal Arts who have graduated from public high schools in the Mississippi Delta. Donations may be made by the following methods: CHECK BY MAIL: "Richard Raspet Memorial Scholarship" in the subject/memo line. That address is 406 University Ave. Oxford, MS 38655. OR GIVE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP ONLINE: https://umfoundation.com/raspet (View other funds; Search or select from common funds; Type Richard Raspet....it will populate with Richard Raspet Memorial Scholarship Endowment [07116]; It will be highlighted in red; Click Select Fund). Online condolences may be left on his Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com.