Robert Ricken, former Mineola schools superintendent who was 'passionate' about education, dies at 93

When you dedicate your life to educating others, the way Robert Ricken did, the lasting impact of your words and actions have a ripple effect for decades to come.

The Floral Park resident served as a longtime principal and then superintendent of schools in Mineola and an adjunct professor of educational administration at LIU Post.

"He loved touching the lives of thousands of students, teachers and administrators. He was very passionate about education," said Ricken's son Ken Ricken, a retired teacher from Lake Worth, Florida. "I greatly admired him."

Ricken died of natural causes on Oct. 15 at the age of 93 at a senior living facility in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. 

Wantagh resident Mike Terc, a retired teacher and former assistant principal at Mineola Junior High School (now Middle School), coauthored several books with Ricken.

"He was approachable, honest, caring, and an excellent communicator who blended intelligence with wisdom in all his interactions," Terc said. "He was the glue that held the district together as superintendent, but he was open to constructive criticism and sought advice before making big decisions. Bob was a born leader and led with his troops close behind instead of telling others what to do."

Terc, who was inspired to go into administration because of Ricken, noted that many other teachers became administrators under Ricken's tutelage.

"Bob always said, "I feel like my work was my love made visible" and that stuck with me for the rest of my life," Terc said. "He prided himself on personal involvement and made it a point to know everyone's name in the school. He had a wonderful grasp of human nature and always brought the best out of people. Long Island has lost a wonderful educator and I lost a great friend."

Robert Ricken was born on April 30, 1931, in Brooklyn. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1951 from Brooklyn College before entering the Army, where he was stationed in Georgia as a corporal. After his service, Ricken received his master's degree from Brooklyn College and an administration certificate in education from Columbia University.

Ricken met his first wife, Morna in 1951. They moved to Seaford in 1960 with their two sons, Ken and Doug, and divorced in 1973. Ricken married his late wife, Susan, who died in 2023, in 1984. The couple lived in Floral Park, where Ricken was the president of the North Shore Towers co-op apartments.

Ricken served as the principal and superintendent in the Mineola school district for 22 years, retiring in 1988, before serving as an interim superintendent across other Long Island school districts such as North Bellmore, Bellmore, Elmont, the Smithtown Central School District, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and the Half Hollows Hills Central School District. After retiring from administration, he served as an adjunct professor of educational administration at LIU Post for more than 35 years, teaching his last class at the age of 86 in 2018.

"He gave his time and energy to so many people of different backgrounds in his lifetime, and all of his achievements were helping people," said his son Ken Ricken.

As the Long Island Coordinator for the Anti-Defamation League's A World of Difference Institute, Ricken conducted workshops on prejudice reduction in more than 100 school districts. A renowned educator in civil rights, Ricken was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognition Award by Nassau County, given to him in 1994.

As a father, Ricken's sons said he was a "selfless, sacrificing man" who always made time for the beach, football and coaching Little League.

"He was just really funny and great to be around. Our lives were unbelievably enhanced because of him, and I am incredibly lucky to have him as a father," said Ken Ricken. "He would want to be remembered as a great father, a doting grandfather, a legendary educator, and as someone who always put people before himself."

"Dad was someone who asked, "What is the problem and how can I help?'" said his son Doug, a sales manager from Raleigh, North Carolina. "He didn't appreciate idle hands and always said if we were sitting there to ask, 'Gee Dad, is there anything I can do to help?' " just as he would do anything for his family and country."

Ricken enjoyed traveling, playing tennis and golf, taking walks on the beach, and was an avid sports fan. He authored several scholarly articles and books, and his writing has been published in Newsday, the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and dozens of other publications.

In addition to his two sons, Ricken is survived by his stepson, Michael, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Funeral services took place on Oct. 25  followed by interment in New Montefiore Cemetery.