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RICHARD FREY ’64, a retired Business Manager from Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City, exemplifies lifelong learning. His passion for knowledge has fueled both personal and professional growth, and he continues to inspire others to pursue learning throughout their lives.
At Riverdale Presbyterian Church in the Bronx, where he was a member, Richard served as the Capital Campaign Project Director in the preservation of the church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. His dedication to learning is reflected in his interests, including researching the identity of an indigenous young woman from a family photo, who may have been a foster child from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Richard has a passion for understanding the history of the writing of the Bible.
Richard’s journey toward lifelong learning began early, influenced by his mother’s desire to teach, and by his music teacher at LMH, Arnold Moshier. Mr. Moshier encouraged Richard to participate in musical activities like the Men’s Chorus and the LM Senior Class Chorus, experiences that helped develop his leadership skills and nurtured his love for music.
Curiosity is central to Richard’s philosophy. He encourages young people to “Be curious! Be curious about yourself, your family, community, and the world.” His own curiosity has led him to explore a variety of interests, from piano lessons to reading about historical figures and current events. This thirst for knowledge has kept him connected to the world and driven his desire to make a difference.
Richard and his wife, Janet have also pursued their passion for learning through educational travel. They have greatly enjoyed educational-focused tours, including an Anabaptist history tour in Europe with TourMagination, Rick Steves tours in Spain and Italy, and a Road Scholar tour, walking 100 miles of El Camino in northern Spain. They are pictured here on their Road Scholar tour to Hawaii. On this trip, he shares, “I completed my goal to visit all the United States capitals.” These experiences align with their commitment to learning and exploring different cultures.
During his time at LM, Richard was deeply influenced by the school’s focus on service and volunteerism, which ignited his passion for research and community engagement. This led him to work in New York City’s foster care system for 15 years. His belief in empowering students to engage with the world was shaped by these early experiences, which LM continues to encourage today.
Richard continues to advocate for lifelong learning and service. His story demonstrates the power of curiosity, growth, and the pursuit of knowledge, proving that learning never truly ends.
