Obituaries
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Obituary for Richard "Dick" J. Claussen
Richard J. Claussen, 80, passed away November 22. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Dick attended Brooklyn College as an undergraduate prior to completing his graduate degree in higher education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He remained at Indiana University for 25 additional years, serving as an administrator of many different programs and associations.
His heart was captured in Bloomington: not only was he dedicated to the University, but he met his wife, Ann McKittrick Claussen, and their daughter, Katie, was born there. He was especially proud that Katie would later attend Indiana University and meet and marry her spouse, Brian Baptista, in Bloomington.
After Bloomington, the family then moved to Manhattan, Kansas where Dick served as Director of Continuing Studies at Kansas State University. They finally settled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dick was the coordinator of special projects at Moravian University until his retirement.
Throughout his career, Dick was passionate about higher education and all its facets. He supported the arts, athletics, and academic programming at each of the universities where he worked. His enthusiasm was well known – whether in the halls, on the bleachers, or near the stage.
Dick was an avid bridge player and teacher. He won many awards in the bridge community and achieved the American Contract Bridge League Sapphire Life Master status. His friends and colleagues described him as one of the sharpest bridge minds they knew.
Dick was also a member of the Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua and served as its president in the early 2000s. In all that he did, Dick loved making people feel important. His wit and subtle sly comments made many smile. He will be missed by all who had the chance to get to know him.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to the Indiana University Foundation Memorial Fund in memory of Richard Claussen which can be accessed at https://give.myiu.org/ (search "Memorial Fund") or by calling the IU Foundation.
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