J. Richard Aronson

J. Richard “Rich” Aronson, 85, of Bethlehem died Sunday, January 15, 2023 in the healthcare center at Moravian Village of Bethlehem. He was the husband of Judith L. (Klein) Aronson with whom he celebrated 63 years of marriage on September 13, 2022. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Lester and Rose (Hacken) Aronson. A 1955 graduate of James Madison High School, Brooklyn, NY, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Clark University, Worcester, MA in 1959. Rich received his Masters Degree from Stanford University, Stanford, CA and returned to Clark University for his PhD. A professor of Economics, he retired in 2015 from Lehigh University after 50 years of dedicated service to his students. Rich was the founder and director until his retirement of the Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise at Lehigh University. He was a member of Congregation Brith Sholom, Bethlehem.  Rich will be remembered as the beloved professor of thousands of Lehigh students.  While at Lehigh, he received the Lehigh Early Career Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1969, the Stabler Award for Excellence in Teaching [voted by the students] in 1974, th Hillman Award, for exceptional service to the University (1986) and the Libsch Research Award—for exceptional research contribution (1996). More than his work, he loved being a husband, father and grandfather. Rich will be remembered for his humor, his leadership, and his ability to bring people together. He was always reading and learning and leading the next generation of thinkers to study in new and innovative ways. He spent his life bringing joy and knowledge to others, pushing people to do more, travel more, to do their best, and strive for what makes them happy.

Survivors: Wife; daughters, Sarah Aronson wife of Michael Blayney of Chicago, IL, Miriam wife of Brian Schimmoller of Fairfax, VA, Annie Aronson and her partner Phil Campbell of Palo Alto, CA; grandchildren, Aaron Schimmoller and his wife Erin Kloc, Rebecca Aronson and partner Jamie Hoagland, Elliot Schwarz, Rachael Schimmoller and fiancé Taweh Beysolow.  He was predeceased by his sister, Arline Gold.

Service: Funeral Service 11:00AM Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Congregation Brith Sholom, 1190 W. Macada Rd., Bethlehem.  Shiva Services Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evening at 7:00PM at 572 Morningstar Lane, Bethlehem. Arrangements by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. Please record a memory at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Rich’s memory to The Judith L. ‘80G and Richard Aronson Endowed Martindale Student Travel Fund, Lehigh University Development & Alumni Relations, 306 S. New St., Suite 500, Bethlehem, PA 18015 or contact Nicole Rogal at nir322@lehigh.edu or 610-758-5585. Please make checks payable to Lehigh University and include NOTE: FOR Aronson Endowed Martindale Fund.

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