In Honor of Dr. Richard Joseph Deckelbaum

“Let’s think outside the box… we could employ multiple approaches to this situation.” Dr. Richard J. Deckelbaum 

The Columbia Global Center Nairobi staff and friends in the region were greatly saddened by the passing of Dr. Richard J. Deckelbaum. Richard was a close confidant, mentor, and our greatest champion who valued us and, more importantly, cared about the affairs of our country and continent.

His unwavering support touched our lives for almost a decade. When our Center was first established to address the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in a village in western Kenya in 2012, Richard graciously contributed his expertise by developing school feeding programs and advocating for crucial interventions related to HIV/AIDS and deworming. He offered valuable guidance to students pursuing Master's and PhD degrees on various issues about these villages, cultivating a supportive environment for those engaged in African affairs.

Richard continued to inspire us in our efforts beyond the Millennium Development Goals by fostering valuable connections and broadening his networks while steadfastly advocating for global health standards in Africa. His pivotal role in establishing the African Nutritional Sciences Research Consortium (ANSRC) at the Center, which received funding from the African Development Bank, was instrumental. ANSRC aimed to develop Ph.D. training programs in basic laboratory research focused on nutritional and agricultural sciences. 

Richard also served as a member of the CGC Nairobi faculty advisory committee, where his insights and expertise were invaluable. In 2024, he was appointed Chair of the committee. His role in our Center extended beyond his expertise. He was instrumental in connecting us with other higher education institutions and non-governmental organizations, significantly enhancing our fundraising efforts. His networking skills were crucial in expanding our network of supporters.

His contributions are unquantifiable. Richard's compassion transformed countless lives, instilling hope and fostering growth in both personal and professional spheres. All who knew him will remember and cherish his unwavering dedication, kindness, and the twinkle in his eyes when he smiled, which was often. We will miss him tremendously.
 

From the Nairobi Global Center 

Dr. Deckalbaum’s passing was indeed a significant blow. We will dearly miss our gentle and joyful friend. Jane Wambugu, Finance and Administration Manager  

We all felt your genuineness and warmth. We will dearly miss the beautiful yearly Christmas cards, but we’ll hold on to the words of the last one; ‘nature forms bridges over turbulent divides - let us hope humankind also does so.’ Pauline Muthoni, Programs Officer

Dr. Deckalbaum, thank you for showing us that compassion is the golden bridge between the haves and the have-nots. It does not cost anything - but its results are everything. Sandra Mikal Masira, Communications Assistant