Richard Lawrence Baugh, born in 1934 as the fourth of eight children into the loving family of William Herbert Baugh and Lucille Adair Baugh, passed away peacefully at his home on May 31, 2026, at the age of 92.
Richard graduated from Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School and the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) School of Fine Arts, where he earned degrees in music performance and music education. He also met fellow musician Kenna Copeland, the love of his life. Despite the societal obstacles and familial concern they faced as an interracial couple, they married in 1961 and moved to New York. There Richard continued his songwriting and musical performance on both trumpet and piano.
Richard inspired students for over 30 years as a music teacher in the New York City Public Schools while building his own family in Seaford, NY. He and Kenna found a close community at the First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, where Richard served as a deacon and elder, engaged in numerous service projects, and greatly impacted the music ministry. Upon retirement, Richard and Kenna returned to Pittsburgh.
Richard was the lifeblood of any gathering. His stories, warmth, music, and energy filled any space he entered. He provided melody, harmony, and a stabilizing bass line for all in his orbit, especially on many memorable family Christmas Eves. Richard took great pleasure in ice cream, his piano, Scrabble, and elegantly written lyrics. He embodied dignity and respect, never compromising his principles for convenience or comfort. Above all, he exuded love and expressed it freely through countless words and deeds.
Richard is survived by Kenna (Copeland) Baugh, his beloved wife of 65 years; his children, Lori Hickey (Neil) and Richelle Tarlin (Jeff); and his grandchildren, Lee Tarlin (Halie) and Eric Tarlin. He is also survived by siblings Marjorie Jackson, W. Harold Baugh (Chacona), Janet Baugh-Jones, Brenda King (John), sisters-in-law Joan Parker (Simmons) Baugh and Bernadette (Carter) Baugh, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many beloved family members through his marriage to Kenna. Preceding him in death were his parents, Bill and Lucille; his siblings William Herbert Baugh, Jr., Constance Woods, and Samuel Baugh; and his brothers-in-law Charles Jackson and Herb Woods.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Carter Family Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, or Southern Poverty Law Center.
Friends received Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11am till time of service at noon, at Allegheny Cemetery Temple of Memories Mausoleum, 4715 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224.