In Celebration of
Richard Nann
October 20, 1930 - December 8, 2024
Professor Richard Nann
On December 8, 2024, 49 days after his 94th birthday, in a moment when everyone was out of the room, Dad/Goong/Richard slipped away and left us. He was long practiced in the art of letting go, embracing change throughout his life.
Born on October 20, 1930, in Victoria, B.C., Richard was the fourth child in a family of six, the first son of Rose, his ‘modern Canadian mom,’ and Leong Park, his ‘traditional Chinese dad’. Richard is predeceased by sisters Jenny, Irene, Winnie, brother Dennis and survived by brother Don. The family relocated to Calgary and then settled in Vancouver when Richard was still in grade school. They were one of a few Chinese Canadian families living outside Chinatown, and this cross-cultural dichotomy would forever shape Richard's worldview. Richard loved school and embraced competition in sports. He played baseball and basketball and even picked up the yoyo for a while, traveling to movie theatres on weekends where they would host competitions before screening a matinee.
Richard was the first person in his lineage to attend university. At UBC while his friends were pursuing business, Richard studied philosophy and English and spent hours in the art studio making posters as a member of Mamooks Club. He made friends with a local d.j. and hung out at record stores and nightclubs with Chas, Ernie, Dave, Willis, Leonard and Dexter, cultivating a love for jazz, scotch, and socializing — sometimes piling into a car with friends and travelling to see live shows, taking turns driving so they could make it as far as San Francisco and back the same night. A pivotal job at the Community Chest (United Way) inspired Richard to pursue social work. In 1957, he married Beverly, and the couple enjoyed European adventures between his graduate studies in NYC at Columbia University and at U of C Berkeley, where he earned a Doctorate in Social Welfare.
Richard’s Chinese zodiac sign was the Golden Horse, symbolizing his adventurous spirit. He was in his element betting on ponies and in the atmosphere of the racetrack. He was grounded and loyal, yet he weighed ‘stability vs freedom’ and found himself taking chances to experience new adventures. His passion was social planning and his research and service took him into immigrant and refugee communities, primarily working in the intersections of social welfare and mental health, charting a course to support uprooting, surviving and thriving. As Assistant Dean of Social Sciences at Hong Kong University, Richard led the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, expanding degree programs and pioneering a program of social work education in China in 1986. This was considered to be the first professional social work education program reinstated after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Proud father of Sander and Andrea (Andy Maize) and glowing grandfather ‘Goong Goong’ to Owen and Chi-Lin Maize, Richard frequently visited Toronto to enjoy family life, attending daughter Andrea’s workshops and performances, Owen’s games and Andy’s gigs. He knew how to have a good time, always making himself comfortable at the rink, park, theatre or backstage before a Skydiggers show!
In later years Dr. Richard C. Nann replaced his robes and mortarboard with a ‘Winners Circle’ ball cap, a slicker, and a pair of gumboots. He moved to Porpoise Bay on B.C’s Sunshine Coast to return to nature and to be closer with son Sander. He continued to serve on multiple social service and performing arts boards, writing, while getting to know trees, growing dahlias, and enjoying sunsets and cigars with neighbour Rudy.
In 2017, Richard moved to Toronto to live with Andrea, Andy, and Owen, becoming part of the Maize family and the Gladstone (Happy Rock) community. He discovered painting, a newfound joy and creative outlet. Richard found beauty in life’s simplest pleasures, finding peace in his final years.
We are deeply grateful to the caregivers and friends who supported Richard in his final years. To everyone at The Rekai Centres- Wellesley Central Place and New Horizons Tower, thank you. To friends Frank, Sahara, Michelle, Brendan, Kaya and Sarah, thank you for enlivening his days with inspiration, love and companionship and preparing Richard to head off with gratitude, clarity and grace, towards his next big adventures. Richard's wonderment, kindness, and intellectual curiosity inspire us to live fully and embrace change with grace. Richard leaves a legacy of love and dedication to making the world better. We love you, Richard. You are in our hearts forever.
Zhongnan Mountain Retreat by Wang Wei (699-759AD)
In middle age I’m quite drawn to the Way.
Here by the hills I’ve built a home. I go
—Whenever the spirit seizes me — alone
To see the spots that other folk don’t know.
I walk to the head of the stream, sit down, and watch
For when the clouds rise. On the forest floor
By chance I meet an old man, and we talk
And laugh, and I don’t think of going back.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to:
Firehall Arts Centre https://www.firehallartscentre.ca/donate/
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation Https://successfoundation.ca/donation-online/
Pacific Immigrant Resources Society https://pirs.bc.ca/donate/
On December 8, 2024, 49 days after his 94th birthday, in a moment when everyone was out of the room, Dad/Goong/Richard slipped away and left us. He was long practiced in the art of letting go, embracing change throughout his life.
Born on October 20, 1930, in Victoria, B.C., Richard was the fourth child in a family of six, the first son of Rose, his ‘modern Canadian mom,’ and Leong Park, his ‘traditional Chinese dad’. Richard is predeceased by sisters Jenny, Irene, Winnie, brother Dennis and survived by brother Don. The family relocated to Calgary and then settled in Vancouver when Richard was still in grade school. They were one of a few Chinese Canadian families living outside Chinatown, and this cross-cultural dichotomy would forever shape Richard's worldview. Richard loved school and embraced competition in sports. He played baseball and basketball and even picked up the yoyo for a while, traveling to movie theatres on weekends where they would host competitions before screening a matinee.
Richard was the first person in his lineage to attend university. At UBC while his friends were pursuing business, Richard studied philosophy and English and spent hours in the art studio making posters as a member of Mamooks Club. He made friends with a local d.j. and hung out at record stores and nightclubs with Chas, Ernie, Dave, Willis, Leonard and Dexter, cultivating a love for jazz, scotch, and socializing — sometimes piling into a car with friends and travelling to see live shows, taking turns driving so they could make it as far as San Francisco and back the same night. A pivotal job at the Community Chest (United Way) inspired Richard to pursue social work. In 1957, he married Beverly, and the couple enjoyed European adventures between his graduate studies in NYC at Columbia University and at U of C Berkeley, where he earned a Doctorate in Social Welfare.
Richard’s Chinese zodiac sign was the Golden Horse, symbolizing his adventurous spirit. He was in his element betting on ponies and in the atmosphere of the racetrack. He was grounded and loyal, yet he weighed ‘stability vs freedom’ and found himself taking chances to experience new adventures. His passion was social planning and his research and service took him into immigrant and refugee communities, primarily working in the intersections of social welfare and mental health, charting a course to support uprooting, surviving and thriving. As Assistant Dean of Social Sciences at Hong Kong University, Richard led the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, expanding degree programs and pioneering a program of social work education in China in 1986. This was considered to be the first professional social work education program reinstated after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Proud father of Sander and Andrea (Andy Maize) and glowing grandfather ‘Goong Goong’ to Owen and Chi-Lin Maize, Richard frequently visited Toronto to enjoy family life, attending daughter Andrea’s workshops and performances, Owen’s games and Andy’s gigs. He knew how to have a good time, always making himself comfortable at the rink, park, theatre or backstage before a Skydiggers show!
In later years Dr. Richard C. Nann replaced his robes and mortarboard with a ‘Winners Circle’ ball cap, a slicker, and a pair of gumboots. He moved to Porpoise Bay on B.C’s Sunshine Coast to return to nature and to be closer with son Sander. He continued to serve on multiple social service and performing arts boards, writing, while getting to know trees, growing dahlias, and enjoying sunsets and cigars with neighbour Rudy.
In 2017, Richard moved to Toronto to live with Andrea, Andy, and Owen, becoming part of the Maize family and the Gladstone (Happy Rock) community. He discovered painting, a newfound joy and creative outlet. Richard found beauty in life’s simplest pleasures, finding peace in his final years.
We are deeply grateful to the caregivers and friends who supported Richard in his final years. To everyone at The Rekai Centres- Wellesley Central Place and New Horizons Tower, thank you. To friends Frank, Sahara, Michelle, Brendan, Kaya and Sarah, thank you for enlivening his days with inspiration, love and companionship and preparing Richard to head off with gratitude, clarity and grace, towards his next big adventures. Richard's wonderment, kindness, and intellectual curiosity inspire us to live fully and embrace change with grace. Richard leaves a legacy of love and dedication to making the world better. We love you, Richard. You are in our hearts forever.
Zhongnan Mountain Retreat by Wang Wei (699-759AD)
In middle age I’m quite drawn to the Way.
Here by the hills I’ve built a home. I go
—Whenever the spirit seizes me — alone
To see the spots that other folk don’t know.
I walk to the head of the stream, sit down, and watch
For when the clouds rise. On the forest floor
By chance I meet an old man, and we talk
And laugh, and I don’t think of going back.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to:
Firehall Arts Centre https://www.firehallartscentre.ca/donate/
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation Https://successfoundation.ca/donation-online/
Pacific Immigrant Resources Society https://pirs.bc.ca/donate/