Richard, Ambrose Frederick

CONVOCATION, OCTOBER, 1976
AMBROSE FREDERICK RICHARD
to be Doctor of Laws

Like many another New Brunswicker facing limited opportunity in this province of his youth, A. F. Richard took his law degree from UNB, his teaching experience in Saskatchewan, and his brains down to the Boston states, leaving a bit of himself and his heart at home. There were no sociologists around then to offer him consolation that he was merely part of a larger Maritime brain-drain syndrome, only people Alden Nowlan would know who simply felt it was plain commonsense from him to go, wished him well, and hoped he would succeed in a land that had been so hospitable to many other proud and talented Acadians before him.

And he succeeded brilliantly. After post-graduate work at Harvard University he joined the prestigious State Street law practice of Hale and Dorr, becoming a senior partner of that large, ancient, and honourable firm established before the American Revolution. So engrossing did he find it that he has stayed on for nearly five decades.

Amidst his many legal undertakings and the arduous demands of a number of company directorships, he found time for his New Brunswick past and especially for his alma mater. With the encouragement of President Colin B. Mackay he formed "The Friends of UNB Inc.," which made it possible for alumni, friends and companies in the United States to contribute to the University of New Brunswick. Treasurer for twenty-five years, he personally receipted all gifts for this organization which has so magnificently and imaginatively assisted UNB in its pursuit of excellence in a province where dollars for education as well as our other high priority needs have been habitually short.

An organizer extraordinaire of American benefactors, an eminent lawyer, a warm man of dignity, wit and humour, UNB is pleased to honour a very loyal son.

From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 2