Richard Cenedella

On Wednesday, December 31st, Richard Cenedella, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away in Denver, CO. He was 86. Born to Josephine and Joseph Cenedella of Mount Lebanon PA, Richard was a graduate of Mount Lebanon High School where he fostered his passion for science, the outdoors, and played varsity football as a lineman.

He graduated from Penn State University where he studied biochemistry, played one year of college football and met his wife of 58 years, Andrea. They married in 1964. After an earning his PhD in biochemistry at Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, they moved to West Virginia and started their family of three children, David, Laura, and Susan. They moved to Kirksville, MO, in 1976 where Richard became Chairman of the Biochemistry Department at A.T. Still University.

At A.T. Still University, Richard investigated molecular mechanisms of cataract formation, among other research topics. Throughout his distinguished teaching and research career, he received 35 years of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant support, published more than 110 research papers, and was the first person at A.T. Still to be named a Fulbright Scholar. Dr. Cenedella inspired an entire generation of A.T. Still students and faculty and was thus honored by the alumni association’s Living Tribute Award. He retired in 2009 as a Professor Emeritus.

Richard and Andrea retired to Isle of Palms, South Carolina enjoying the beach where they hosted their much loved children and grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. This included taking them surf fishing for sharks.

Richard was a passionate outdoorsman enjoying big game hunting in Missouri, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming which included harvesting deer, elk and antelope. His greatest enjoyment came from fostering and sharing these life experiences with family. When his family was young, he loved traveling with them, broadening their experiences of the world together. Richard remained a big football fan throughout his life and he and Andrea were huge Steelers fans.

Richard is predeceased by his wife, Andrea, his parents, and his brother, Raymond. He is survived by; son David (Anne) Cenedella, and their children Joseph Cenedella, Nicholas Cenedella, and Louis Cenedella; daughter Laura (Gene) Hugunin, and her children Taylor (Aubrey) Schoenekase, Kendall Schoenekase, and Madison (Patrick) McAnulty; daughter Susan (Jim) Sherrow, and their children, Ashley (Alex) Dwyer, Sabrina Sherrow, and Michelle Sherrow as well as 2 great grandchildren and his sister Arlene Cenedella.

Services are planned to be held in the spring. He will be laid to rest with Andrea in South Carolina.

All will miss his passionate curiosity, devotion to family, and sense of humor.