Richard Coram

Pt. Clear, Al – Richard Lamar Coram passed away on Monday, November 17, 2014. He is now standing tall and walking briskly hand in hand with his beloved wife, Claudia, who preceded him in death. He was born on Oct. 25, 1937, in Orlando, Fla., the son of Marvin and Nell Coram. As a child he contracted polio, but it did not stop him from living a full and interesting life. He had a great love of the water, and never lived far from the shore, whether in Hawaii, the Bahamas, Coconut Grove, Key Largo, or Pt. Clear on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. He was a master sailor and won many races in South Florida, and later in life enjoyed therapeutic swims with the ladies in Fairhope. He was a grassroots environmentalist spending countless hours volunteering at the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve. Richard was an artist, photographer, and loved to plan, design, and build small projects around his house. He read voraciously, and shared his favorite books with friends and family. Richard was especially fond of Florida authors such as John MacDonald, Carl Hiaasen, and Tim Dorsey, who shared his disdain of those who profit from despoiling the special places, and those with no sense of history nor love of the natural wonders of the earth. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Dr. Claudia Rogers, a well renowned anthropologist, and the love of his life. He is survived by nephews Jim and wife Andrea of Williston, Fla., Phil and wife Kelly of Tallahassee, Fla.; grandnieces and grandnephew; Taylor, Hillary and Mathew. He loved spending time with friends and neighbors over drinks, good food, and long animated talks into the late evenings – and was uncannily good at picking Kentucky Derby winners. Richard will always be in our hearts and never will be forgotten.