Obituary of Richard H. Taber

Richard Taber died on December 15, 2016 at Foxdale Village where he was a longtime resident. Richard Taber was born April 23, 1932 in rural Iowa to Esther and Louis Taber. A formative experience for Richard was his four years at Scattergood Friends Boarding School in Iowa. At Scattergood Richard found a love of learning. His Quaker convictions, developed at Scattergood, stayed with him throughout life. Richard finished his BA at the University of Iowa in 1954. During the Korean War he worked at a Children's Home in Pennsylvania as his alternative service. This experience with disturbed and difficult children set the pattern for his study and work the next 40 years. Richard moved to New York City, worked in a Settlement House on the Lower East Side, and at Wiltwyck School for disturbed boys, then earned a Master's degree in social work from NYU in 1964. Richard wanted to visit England and landed a job as Child Care Officer in London. The director of his office gave Richard a caseload of 34 of their most disturbed and difficult families. Richard did so well that he was offered a senior position in London two years later. But Richard wanted to move on. After another world trip he found a position in a mental health center at the Cabrini-Green Projects in Chicago. He worked there 1969-71. While there he helped public housing residents organize themselves to demand better library services, and more sympathetic and effective protection from the Chicago police. Richard is likely the only social worker who has worked successfully with broken families in the Lower East side of New York City, in London, and in Chicago. In 1974 Richard took a position as School Social Worker in Woodstock, 55 miles northwest of Chicago. He worked at the McHenry County Special Education District until 1994 when he retired. After retirement Richard selected Foxdale as home for his remaining years. At Foxdale Richard, known to most as "Dick", was a familiar figure for his hard work collecting and sorting recyclables, setting up equipment for movie nights, and more. He was a vigorous explorer by bicycle and on foot throughout the area and a cheerful presence at lectures, activities, performances, and at Quaker meetings for worship. He will be sorely missed. Richard counted his extended family as his own. Every summer Richard would take his well-used Toyota around the West, visiting each of his many relatives one year or the next. His loving interest has been returned many times over as Richard's big family wrote or visited him when able. Richard is survived by his brother Merlin Taber, three nieces, and four nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the Foxdale Village auditorium, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College, and all are invited to celebrate his life. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.