Richard Bernard Risi

Richard Bernard Risi, 72, passed away unexpectedly on March 14, 2022 at his home in Va Beach. Richard was born on September 15, 1949 to Bernard and Eleanor Risi in Norfolk, VA.  Richard was a generous, kind and loving soul that would do anything for anyone.  Richard was married to the former Barbara Smith in October of 1978 in Harrisonburg, Va.  Together they had three beautiful children, Brian, Erin, and Shelley Risi. He deeply loved his family and was a supportive husband and father in all their endeavors, encouraging them each to follow their dreams. He would take the family to the beach every summer, and taught his kids how to swim and fish.
Richard grew up in Portsmouth, Va graduating from Cradock High School in 1968. After High School, Richard attended Norfolk State University and was a proud member of the football team. He fondly remembered his time there as a formative experience for the man he would become. Richard then went on to attend Rockingham Memorial Hospital’s school of Radiologic Technology, where he was employed for a number of years as an X-Ray Technician. He went on to gain a certification in Computed Tomography, in which he gained employment with Shenandoah Shared Hospital Services in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He and his family moved to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina to begin a career with SunHealth Inc. managing their mobile CT units which serviced different hospitals throughout North and South Carolina. He later moved his family to Rock Hill, SC as changes occurred within the mobile CT industry. In 1989 after the birth of his youngest daughter, he and his family moved back to his hometown of Portsmouth, Va where he began working as a manager in Sentara Norfolk General’s Radiology department. He was also employed at Maryview Hospital part time, as an X-Ray Technician for many years. Again he changed positions and began his career as a Clinical Applications Specialist with GE part time and later full time with Neurologica Corporation, until his retirement in June of 2019. This career move led to the opportunity for extensive travel, as he trained technicians throughout the world. This was a love that he and his wife were able to share together, as she traveled alongside him, as often as possible. Several favorite trips he and his wife took were to Italy where his ancestors were from, enjoying the Italian cuisine and countryside. He enjoyed sharing photos and stories with family and friends about his adventures around the world. He was a very hard worker, but every chance he could get he would spend time with his family and friends.
After retirement, he moved to Chicks Beach on the Chesapeake Bay, where he spent many days fishing, kayaking, walking, and living out his dream of having a place near the water. He never stopped making time for his family and friends. When his granddaughters, Olivia and Fiona Risi were born, he was over the moon with joy to be a grandfather. He adored and loved both of them, and was attentive and devoted to them always.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, brothers Brian Burke, Kenneth Burke, and Paul Risi, and sisters Denise Hunter and Carol-Lynn Risi. Left to cherish his memory are his former spouse Barbara, his children Brian and wife Lauren Risi, Erin Thomas and husband Aaron, Shelley Risi and partner Joel Bugden, and two precious granddaughters, Olivia and Fiona Risi, niece Gidget Cline, great nephews Syd and Zach Singleton, great niece Jenny Singleton, and special friends Angela Shelley and Dave Baker. A celebration of life will take place at a later date for extended family and friends. Condolences may be left for the family at www.altmeyerfh.com.