Dr. Richard L. Irwin's Obituary
Dr. Richard L. Irwin, age 66 years, from Germantown, TN suddenly and sadly passed away Saturday, December 7, 2023 at Methodist University Hospital due to a sudden illness. Richard (aka Dick, DI, Dude) was born on July 25, 1957 in Fort Belvoir, VA. His parents were Colonel Wilburt J. and Beth Irwin. His father served with distinction in World War II and continued to serve until his retirement from the US Army in 1971. Richard grew up in Colorado Springs, CO, in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains after his father retired with honors from ENT Air Force Base. In 1972 his mother passed after a struggle with breast cancer.
Richard attended Billy Mitchell HS in Colorado Springs, CO and graduated in 1975. He was active in Football, Wrestling, and Track and Field. He has continued to be close to many former classmates and friends to this day. After high school, he attended the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), graduating in 1979 with a degree in Physical Education with a certificate for K-12 teaching. Before graduation, he met the love of his life, Carol Davis, who was also in the same program. It was love at first site and within 8 weeks, they were engaged. A beautiful wedding ensued on August 4, 1979, in Colorado Springs. They have been happily married for 44 years.
Starting their new life in Denver CO, he began as a teacher/coach at Regis Jesuit HS. He also taught Driver’s Ed in his role at Regis and had some “interesting” stories of riding with students and barely surviving. While at Regis HS, his first daughter, Beth, was born in 1983 in Denver. In 1985, he received his master’s degree at UNC, and accepted a position teaching and coaching track and field at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, MN. Wanting to continue his work in higher ed, he returned to Colorado and received his Doctorate in Sports Management at UNC in 1990. While attending Northern Colorado for his Doctorate, his second daughter, Abby, was born in 1988.
Richard next accepted a position at Kent State University, teaching in their nationally acclaimed Sports Management Program. In 1994, Richard was hired by University of Memphis to start the Sports Commerce Program and became a nationally recognized leader in the sport marketing industry. Richard trail blazed many sports marketing endeavors, including working with the NBA, NCAA, MLB, PGA tour, NASCAR as well as many major college football bowls.
Richard continued as Coordinator of the Sports Commerce Department before transitioning into Administration for the University of Memphis, eventually becoming Associate Dean for University College in 2010. In 2019, he was named Executive Dean of the College of Professional and Liberal Studies and the Center for Regional Economic Enrichment, and UofM Global. In this position, Richard provided impressive leadership and visionary assistance, over-seeing the University’s nationally top-ranked Online Education Program, plus many major grant programs, of which one is the largest grant received by the University of Memphis to date. These grants help the under-served achieve work force skills.
Richard was not only a well-respected educator and administrator, he was also a much loved husband, father, grandfather and brother. Richard leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Dr. Carol Irwin; his daughters Beth (Justin) Miller, and Abby (Fielding) Ables (all of Germantown, Tennessee); grandsons James, Henry, and Jack Miller, granddaughter Miller Jane Ables, and another Ables granddaughter expected in May; plus Richard’s sister, Lynn (Jim) Bowen of Indialantic, Florida. Dr. Richard Irwin was a man who lived life to the fullest and an inspiration to many. He will be dearly missed.
A celebration of Dr. Richard Irwin’s life will be on Monday, December 18 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the Dr. Richard Irwin Memorial Fund: https://supportum.memphis.edu/IrwinMemorial.
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