Richard Eugene Souligny

Richard E. Souligny died in his Tucson home on September 21st, 2025. Richard is survived by his long-time partner Susan Kay Campbell, his children Amber Earney (Bergstrom), Dan Souligny, and André Souligny, his siblings Dianne Wolter (Souligny) and Jack Souligny, and his grandchildren Nick Earney, Marguerite Souligny, Cedar Souligny, and Rue Souligny. Richard is also survived by his partner Susan’s children Nathan Campbell, Amy Campbell Martin, April Garcia, grandchildren Kristina and Malachi Martin, Freya Watiker, Sophia Plazony, Jeremy and Garet Garcia, Audrey and Kristopher Yaun, and three great-grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by his father, John Charles Souligny, mother Dorothy Marian Souligny (Rivard), nephew Mark Souligny, niece Laura Guy (Souligny), nephew Jim Wolter, niece Melissa Wolter, brother-in-law Bill Wolter, and other relatives and friends who are dearly missed.

Richard grew up in and around White Bear Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin in the 1940’s and 1950’s. After graduating Hudson High School, Richard enlisted and served one tour of duty in the U.S. Navy in the early 1960’s. After serving in the Navy, Richard enrolled in the University of Wisconsin River Falls, earning an undergraduate degree, and taking a stand against the U.S. war in Vietnam.

During his lifetime Richard had two main careers in the arts, was married three times, and had three children. Beginning in the late 1960’s, Richard worked providing traditional arts education to young people at the high school and college level, working in several different states in the US, and then working extensively outside of the US at schools for the children of Americans living abroad. Later, in the early 1980’s Richard settled into a second career in Tucson, Arizona as a designer/goldsmith, and made his lifetime home there.

In his early career, teaching and traveling, Richard carried a 35mm camera, photographing the people and places he visited, taking hundreds of photographs in the form of color slides. Eventually settling in Tucson, and after working briefly in the goldsmith trade in the employ of others, Richard started “Souligny International”, from his carport-turned-goldsmith’s studio. Richard’s free-form wax carving expressed his unique style and creativity, and the lost wax process made his many creations truly one of a kind.

Richard contributed to the Tucson community, as a long-time member of a business club, as a teacher of his trade for many years at Tucson Parks and Recreation, as a mentor to other artists with whom he sometimes shared his studio, and as a friend and neighbor to many. Richard was a life-long motorcycle enthusiast. Richard always spoke admiringly and fondly of his mother and father, who worked in restaurants together as waitress and cook throughout Richard’s childhood.

Richard was most comfortable in his Tucson home surrounded by the tools of his trade, artwork made by his friends and acquaintances, and cultural artifacts collected during his years working abroad. He was especially fond of sunshine, pistachio ice cream, the Coffee Cup diner, and Frank’s Diner, among many other places and things.

Richard will always be remembered and may he have a peaceful journey.