Richard Waldemar Comnick, 85, died on May 17, 2026, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Rich was born in Lakefield, Minnesota, to Waldemar and Genevieve Comnick. His early years were spent fishing, boating, and traveling, fostering a life-long appreciation for nature and the outdoors.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and went on to receive a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he met his wife, Claire. They moved to Columbus, Ohio, where Rich led a distinguished 36-year career working as an editor and translator of new, global research at Chemical Abstracts Service.

With a passion for travel, Rich enjoyed hiking, skiing, and photography. And with a love for dogs, he always had a loyal companion at his side.

Rich and Claire retired to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he volunteered for many years in the archives at Lowell Observatory, transcribing the original manuscripts of Percival Lowell who initiated the discovery of Pluto. Rich was recognized by Lowell Observatory as volunteer-of-the-year, with the special honor of having an asteroid named after him.

In a unique lineage of only children, Rich is survived by his wife Claire Comnick, daughter Julie Comnick, grandson Sawyer Comnick-Jones, and his cousin Paul Comnick.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Richard Comnick's name to Lowell Observatory Library & Archives: https://lowell.edu/support/donate/ways-to-donate/memorial-and-honorary-gifts/