Richard L. Wikander of Northampton, MA passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the age of 72 in Madison, WI. Richard was born in Brooklyn, NY to Lawrence and Anna Wikander. He was a long-term resident of Northampton, MA where he earned his master’s degree in biology in 1984 and PhD in Anthropology in 1991 at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He became a professor and taught at the University, as well as being an Academic Dean in their College of Social and Behavioral Sciences before retiring.

Rick was dedicated to a life of the mind, and his knowledge on many topics was encyclopedic. While his background was strongest in anthropology, his real passion was for the natural sciences, and he spent his later years avidly following the latest discoveries in astronomy, quantum physics, and paleontology. He was also well versed in classic poetry and loved Shakespeare and the ancient Greeks. He was devoted to reading, writing, and his beloved orchids.

He is survived by his wife, Yishu (Sue) Jiang, and two sisters, Christina Wikander and Loretta Wikander. He will be interred at St. John’s Cemetery in Queens, NY alongside his parents.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:30 pm (CT), Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave, Madison WI 53705

You can also attend Dr. Richard L. Wikander’s Memorial services remotely through Microsoft Teams Meeting; to attend remotely, please click on the following link to join: Microsoft Teams.

Meeting ID: 250 234 362 859 383

Passcode: RG3zh9it

If needed, please install Microsoft Teams App in advance, otherwise, join the meeting directly via Web browser with some permissions.

Please also share your memories of Richard by posting in his guestbook.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406