Fiskdale: Richard F. Abrahamson, 75, of North Drive, passed away on Saturday, Aug 12th, in Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, after a brief illness.

He leaves his beloved wife of 52 years, Margaret E. (Borsari) Abrahamson; his two daughters, Beth L. Lane and her husband Jared from Eagle, CO and Meg A. Gordy and her husband John of Spring, TX; his brother, Brent S. Abrahamson of Fiskdale; a sister, Lynn M. Wolstencroft and her husband George of Charlton; and his two grandchildren, Jack Lane and Aubrey Lane of Eagle, CO.

Richard was born in Southbridge, the son of Stanley F. and Anita (Fontaine) Abrahamson. After graduating from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, he and Margaret lived in Maine and Iowa furthering both their educations. Richard obtained his PHD from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and worked for 37 years as a professor in the College of Education at the University of Houston in Texas.

Richard is the author of more than 250 articles, books and poems. He won the Education Press Association Award for Excellence in Educational Journalism, the University's Teaching Excellence Award from the Alumni Association of the College of Education and the Distinguished Career Award from the College of Education. In addition, he received the Texas State Reading Association's Literacy Award and the Houston Literacy Award as well as the Texas Council of Teachers of English Outstanding Language Arts Educator Award.

He proudly served in the National Guard and enjoyed traveling, especially to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, ME every summer for 40 years to escape the Texas heat.

Richard will be remembered as a loving husband who was a great father and grandfather.  Family was the most important thing to him.  He was an accomplished woodworker and his projects that are evident throughout his home were what made his home so special.  His good sense of humor that was present even when he was ill, will be missed by all who knew him.

A private graveside service for Richard will be held in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge at a later date. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, Richard has requested that donations be made to St. Jude's Hospital for Children.