Richard Souther 1948-2012

Richard Dennis Souther

04 Jan 1948 ~ 17 Sep 2012



 Richard Dennis Souther, 64, a resident of Honolulu for over 40 years, died of cancer on September 17^th in Sandwich, Massachusetts.  He was predeceased by his father, Richard W. Souther, and survived by his mother, Barbara (Valli) Souther, his siblings Lawrence Souther of Eastham, Judith Taylor of Wellfleet, Kathy Souther of Providencetown, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  Along with his uncle, Sherburne Valli of Honolulu, he also leaves many good friends here in Hawai’i and on the Mainland. 

 

He was born and raised in Massachusetts, joined the Navy after graduation from high school and traveled to many parts of the world.  He was based mostly in Hawai’i and fell in love with the beauty of the islands and the gracious, loving and laid-back culture and personality of the people of Hawai’i. After being discharged, he lived in Japan and Korea for a time but returned to Hawai’i and made it his home. 

 

He was employed by the State of Hawai’i as a Records Administrator for the Department of Health and later worked for the Department of Education.  It was in Hawai’i that he developed his passion for genealogy.  He spent years researching the Souther families that culminated in the 1996 publication, "The Souther Families of America.”

 

Richard conducted many classes and workshops in genealogy in Hawai’i.  Richard founded the Sandwich Islands Genealogical Society (now the Honolulu County Genealogical Society) and was a member of the Caledonian Society of Hawai’i, through which he shared his extensive collection of Hawaiian genealogy at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival for many years.  He was also a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society,  the Quincy Historical Society, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Alden Kindred of America, Inc., and the General and Massachusetts Societies of Mayflower Descendants.  Richard was a volunteer librarian with the Aloha Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution where he computerized their entire collection.  In addition, Richard’s expertise was a major factor in the building of two extensive genealogical databases, that of the “Thomas Rogers Society,” and “The Order for the Crown of Charlemagne in the USA.” These and many other contributions to the genealogical community will never be forgotten. 

 

Richard’s love of the Hawai’i was reflected in classes he taught on different styles of lei making at various community schools on the islands.  He established his own Cultural and Arts Program, which featured notable speakers and the works of celebrated native Hawaiian artists, cultural practitioners and historians.  For eight years he conducted inter-island field trips that coincided with his classes, sharing with others his knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture. 

 

 

Richard was a member of International City of Refuge Christian Church Ministries of Hawai’i.  He helped with the Men’s Ministry and always looked forward to serving all members.

 

Mahalo, Richard, for your many gifts. Your time here was too short but now you can rest in peace.