Richard N. Carmean

Richard N. Carmean, age 89, passed away on May 23, 2022 at Unity Hospital in Rochester, NY. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Mildred Carmean and his four children: Richard, June (Eichas), Nancy (Merrick) and Thomas.  He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Krystral Eichas, Michelle Eichas, James Eichas, Chad Merrick, Nicholas Carmean, Ashley Carmean and Kailey Carmean as well as his three great-grandchildren Maximus and Alexander Eichas and Luca Carmean.

Richard was born on March 8, 1933 in Lyndhurst, NJ to Harry and Dena Carmean.  He graduated high school from Lyndhurst HS in 1951.  The day after he graduated high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  Following his Honorable Discharge from the Navy in 1955, he was married to Mildred (McKeen) in January 1956. Following their wedding they moved to Ithaca, NY where he enrolled at Ithaca College in their Physical Education program.

 At Ithaca College, Richard was able to distinguish himself in both track and field and football.  Richard “Dick” Carmean '60 was a stellar performer in both football and track and field at Ithaca. He gained 612 yards in 119 carries as a running back for a 5.2 career yards per carry average. He also led the Bombers in touchdowns during his junior year with nine. In addition, Carmean was a talented defensive back and held the Bombers pass interception career record with nine until that record was broken in 1972. During his senior year, Carmean was named captain of the football team and was named a football All-American. He also once earned the team's Most Valuable Performer award. In track and field Carmean was an outstanding pole vaulter with 25 first place finishes in four seasons. He was twice named the track and field squad's Most Valuable Performer. He is also a 1973 Ithaca College Hall of Fame Inductee.

While serving as Captain for the 1959 Ithaca College Football team, Richard and a close friend (Tom Decker- Captain of the Cortland University Football team) created the lasting tradition known as the Cortaca Jug.  Together they create what is now known as “The biggest little game in the nation”, a game which in 2019 was played in front of record crowd of 45,000 at Met Life Stadium; a record for attendance at a Division III NCAA football game. 

Immediately following his 1960 graduation from Ithaca College, Richard took a job as a physical education teacher at the new Ithaca High School.  Richard went on to be the Department Head for Physical Education as well as a long tenure as the school’s Director of Athletics.  It is at Ithaca High School as a teacher, coach and administrator that he made his impact in education and on the young people with whom he so passionately worked.

Following his career in education, Richard and Mildred would follow their dreams to travel and serve.  In 1997 they elected to enlist in the Peace Corps and, after a 12-week training course, they were they were assigned to a remote village in the Solomon Islands, where they served for two years.  Following that adventure, they once again signed up to serve, this time in an orphanage in South Africa. Each of these experiences had made a lasting and profound impact on their lives.

Richard Carmean always offered a helping hand to anyone in need.  In lieu of flowers or monetary donations we ask that you give the gift of your time.  Please take the time to volunteer, spend time with someone you have not seen in a while or someone who is elderly, or offer a helping hand to someone in need.

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, June 6th at 1:00 pm at Christ Chapel, 160 Graham Road, Ithaca NY. Pastor Steve Felker will officiate.  Reception will follow at the same location. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.  

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