Richard Bradish Dunham, 83, Lighting Designer and Craftsman

Richard Bradish Dunham, a lighting designer whose career illuminated some of New York's most prestigious stages and who later became an accomplished furniture maker in Maine, died peacefully on June 19, 2025, at The Governor King Community in Topsham, Maine. He was 83.

Mr. Dunham had been in memory care, struggling with Alzheimer's disease in recent years. His wife of 55 years, Jacqueline, was by his side.

Born May 21, 1942, in Hanover, New Hampshire, to Ruth Royce and Wilson Bradish Dunham, Richard grew up immersed in the cultural richness of the Dartmouth College community. His mother was a nurse, and his father operated Dartmouth Skis, a ski equipment company. The family's involvement in local theater productions sparked Richard's lifelong passion for the performing arts. Tragedy struck the family in 1950 when Richard's father died of leukemia, leaving eight-year-old Richard and his mother to navigate life without him.

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and a minor in Art, Mr. Dunham served in the U.S. Army in 1965. He then pursued graduate studies at Indiana University, earning a Master of Arts in Theater Lighting Design.

Fresh from graduate school, Mr. Dunham was recruited by the renowned Kliegl Brothers Universal Electric Stage Lighting Company, the pioneering theatrical lighting firm that had been "the light of America" since 1896. This opportunity brought him to New York City, where he would establish himself in the demanding world of professional theater lighting.

His career flourished as a lighting designer and technical director for some of the nation's most celebrated venues, including the Metropolitan Opera and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Virginia. He also contributed his expertise to productions with the New York City Ballet and various Broadway and off-Broadway shows.

It was at a dinner party in New York City that Richard met Jacqueline, a designer at Bloomingdale's. Along with Jacqueline’s son, Alain, they made their home first in Manhattan and then on City Island in the Bronx, where they kept a sailboat and frequently escaped the city for maritime adventures.

During his New York years, Mr. Dunham served as professor of Technical Theater at Queens College, where his passion for theater extended naturally into mentorship. Known for his generous spirit, he frequently welcomed students into his City Island home for dinners and gatherings, fostering both their professional development and personal growth. Many of his former students went on to establish successful careers in the industry, carrying forward the technical expertise and artistic vision he had instilled in them.

Mr. Dunham's career later took him to Rosco Laboratories, where he worked for many years as a sales representative and material specialist, traveling internationally to theaters worldwide. He particularly enjoyed projects in Las Vegas and played a role in developing materials that would later be used in modern billboard technology.

In 1990, seeking a quieter life, Richard and Jackie relocated to Appleton, Maine. After retiring in 1996, Mr. Dunham discovered a new artistic calling. He studied at the renowned Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine, and emerged as an accomplished furniture maker and wood turner.

Working from his studio in Appleton, he created distinctive lamps under the name "Wood-N-Light," ingeniously combining his lighting expertise with his newfound woodworking skills to showcase the natural beauty of wood veneer. His turned wood pieces were sold at Archipelago Gallery in Rockland, Maine, almost until the time of his death.

Mr. Dunham's life was marked by his seamless transition between the fast-paced world of New York theater and the contemplative craft of woodworking in rural Maine, demonstrating his ability to find beauty and purpose in both the grand stage and the intimate workshop.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; his stepson, Alain Fabius and his wife Marie; and many extended family members and friends. He is also deeply missed by his and Jackie's two dogs, Nellie and Georgie.

A memorial service is planned for later in the year. In lieu of flowers, please join us in making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association online at alz.org.