Richmond Greene

Richmond Kent Greene, a Jungian analyst well respected in the New York Jungian analytical psychotherapy community, died peacefully at 89 on September 23 at the Woodland Pond senior residential community in New Paltz, NY. He and his wife of 45 years, Katherine (Trina) Greene, had lived there since 2011.

Greene was President of the C.G. Jung Institute of New York for two years; a member of the New York Assn. of Analytical Psychologists; and Associate Dean of Students at Union Theological Seminary after his graduation from that divinity school in 1955. After serving for 15 years as minister of three First Congregational churches in New England, Greene devoted the rest of his professional life to Jungian analysis and psychotherapy with hundreds of patients.

A civil rights activist, Greene joined the Selma, AL, March for Voter’s Rights and Registration in 1965, risking his life at pistol point, and was jailed for several nights.

Ann Ulanov, Professor of Religion and Psychiatry Emerita at Union Theological Seminary, who worked with Greene over many years, said, “Rob was a modest person but very talented.  He was very reliable and trustworthy.  He really listened to his clients, and did not try to fix things for them himself.”

 ‘Rob’ was born in 1930, into a large New England family of educators, ministers, and founders of educational institutions whose family seat is The First Congregational Church Manse, built in 1787 in Jaffrey, NH, by his ancestral grandfather, The Reverend Laban Ainsworth (1757-1858).   He died at 101 after serving 76 years at his nearby First Congregational Church in Jaffrey, one of the longest continuous Protestant ministries in North America.

In the tradition of his forebears, Rob graduated from The Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, CT, where his father taught. His mother served as Head of Renbrook School, also in West Hartford.

Rob started working at 14 in his parents’ summer camp, where he became an enthusiastic lifelong horseback rider.  At 18, Rob was an exchange student at Oxford University in England for a summer. During this time he discovered the majestic beauty and spiritual energy of some of the great cathedrals, which would affect his life of spiritual work. He graduated in 1952 from Amherst College, MA, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

He first wanted to enter the Diplomatic Service but gave that up after he failed to be admitted to Princeton University where he hoped to study international relations and US diplomacy.  Following his increasing interest in religion and in helping other people, he entered Union Theological Seminary in New York City, graduating in 1955 Cum Laude. Ordained as a First Congregational Minister, he served for 15 years in three New England Churches in  Eden, VT;  Littleton, NH;  and Amherst, MA.

Greene then left his ministry to study at the Institute for Religion and Health in New York City, where he received a degree in Pastoral Counseling in 1974.  He entered the CG Jung Institute of New York in 1971, and became a certified Jungian analyst in 1978. He later served as President of the Jung Institute for two years. He taught periodically at Auburn Seminary in New York City.

Greene married Barbara Fish in 1953. He is survived by their four children: Geoffrey Taylor Greene of Burlington, VT; Seth Barrett Greene of Danbury, CT; Sarah Greene Stalberg of Terrabonne, OR; Cameron Lindsay Greene of Brandon, FL; and four grandchildren.

In 1976 he married sculptor Katherine B Twyeffort and they lived in New Paltz, NY for the next 45 years. He became a skilled watercolorist, drawing inspiration from the Maine coast, and the rivers and mountains of Ulster County, NY.  A book of his numerous paintings and poetry is being prepared for publication.  In his 70s and 80s, he studied water color painting with Staats Fasholdt at the Woodstock, NY, School of Art.   He was skilled at fly fishing, and the fine art of tying flies; and a collector of antique pistols hidden in his home in New Paltz.

Rob will be remembered with love and gratitude by his family, friends, and clients for his gifts of listening, loving, and healing.

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