Born December 5, 1947, Brooklyn, New York and passed away on April 27, 2018 at the age of 70. He loved and was loved deeply by his family and furry friends as well as musician friends and veterinary colleagues all over the world. Faculty member in the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for over 33 years, starting in 1984, first as a researcher at Scott Richey and then an Associate Professor/Pathologist in the Department of Pathobiology with over 58 publications. Retired in 2016 and continued to do consulting until early 2017.Early in his career, worked in veterinary practices in the USA and Australia. He enjoyed research in both academia and in the private sector, working with companies in the USA and Japan and helped develop FeLV vaccine to prevent Feline Leukemia. As a teenager, worked on a chicken farm and as a summer YMCA counselor. Graduated with High Honors from Rutgers University in Animal Sciences (1969), Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris, VMD Degree, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine (1973) PhD, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine (1981). A musician at heart, he played the French Horn for over 50 years, once appearing at Carnegie Hall. Over the years, he played with Lagrange Orchestra and community orchestras in Palo Alto, CA and Auburn. Enjoyed playing in classical and holiday concerts at United Methodist Church in Auburn and First Baptist Church in Opelika. He had an unrecognized talent for cartooning, a very dry wit, was kind hearted, compassionate, friendly and loved reading murder mysteries and books about history. He was one of the founding members of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Auburn. He loved Auburn football, war eagle! He enjoyed hiking in Montana and California and international travel including several visits to the Greek Islands (3 visits), Egypt, Israel, Japan, Australia, Ireland, UK, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and Mexico. He is survived by his wife Deborah Weiss; son Isaac Weiss; daughters Hannah Weiss and Emily Weiss; Maisy the cat; brothers Dr. Brian Weiss (Carol) and Dr. Peter Weiss (Dr. Barbara Horn); sister Cassie Weiss Zellner; nephews Nathanial Weiss (Erica) and Jordan Weiss (Denise); nieces Rachel Weiss, Amy Weiss and Rachel Zellner Vida (Joey); He was preceded in death by his parents of blessed memory Alvin and Dorothy Weiss, his loyal Golden Retriever Hercules and great Siamese cats Socrates, Delos, Mykonos and Coootchabee. Many thanks to the great home health aides who assisted Richard, they were all wonderful. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Parlor from noon until 1:45 pm. Funeral service will be held in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers we ask that you take time each day to appreciate your loved ones and if you desire please make a donation to the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition (www.multiplesystematrophy.org ) or the Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.org) Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Parlor from noon until 1:45 pm.