Richard Barry Slosberg, a well-known Portland lawyer, passed away on May 27, 2021, at the age of 81 years.
A brilliant, complicated and sometimes controversial man, Richard relished nothing better than debate and challenging conventional wisdom. A native of Portland, he was the first of four brothers born to Gerald and Alice Slosberg.
After Portland High School, he attended Tufts University where he graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. He then joined Raytheon, helping to build rockets for the U.S. Navy. But his true calling was law. He attended Boston College School of Law and was elected to law review. He graduated with honors. In 1964, he joined the National Labor Relations Board in Los Angeles, starting a lengthy career in labor law that included positions with the firm Arent Fox and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, D.C., then with Westinghouse Corporation in Pittsburgh and Bangor Punta Corporation in Greenwich, Conn. In 1986 Richard moved back home to Portland to start his own firm.
He was a beloved member of the Chabad of Maine community who always greeted others with a smile and a joke. He was fondly nicknamed “Rashi” because of his deep questions on the weekly Drasha. Richard was a tough fighter, not to be held back by a stroke in his 50s or other health issues. He persevered and was an inspiration to his family.
He is predeceased by his brother, Leonard and survived by brothers Robert and Jonathan; his two children, twins Deedra and Daniel; his ex-wife Susan; and his four grandchildren, Amelie, Riley, Noah and Asher.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 31 at 1 p.m. at Levey Chapel, 471 Deering Ave. Interment at Mt. Sinai Cemetery will follow the service. Arrangements entrusted to Portland Jewish Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Chabad of Maine