Richard L. Bohanon ’57


Richard L. Bohanon ’57 passed away January 18 at his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After graduating from Casady School in Oklahoma City Dick came to Dartmouth, where he majored in history and was a member of Sigma Chi and the Pre-Law Club. He earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma, a master’s of law from NYU and then continued his studies in France. He served as law clerk for Chief Judge Alfred P. Murrah. After two years at Gulf Oil Dick went into private practice for 18 years until 1982, when he was appointed to the bankruptcy court for the U.S. district court in western Oklahoma. During his career he was also assigned as bankruptcy judge in New Mexico, Florida, Maryland and New York. He retired in 2010. He was a prolific lecturer and even taught judges in Mongolia. Dick’s fastidiousness was exemplified by his sartorial splendor, including especially his bow ties. He had profound interests in the arts, humanities, healthcare and travel. Remarkably, he was the only known person to have experienced at close hand the bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City and the 9/11 attack in New York City. Dick is survived by his wife, Ann, three sons, their wives and several grandchildren. Herb Roskind ’57 wrote: “When I first met Dick I knew immediately I wanted to be his friend. He was always respectful, helpful, concerned about others.” Jay Greene ’57 described him as “a man who valued friendship and commitment, a serious man, thoroughly genuine, always warm, a gentleman.”