Richard Sarna

How would Poppy like to be remembered?

A devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather (Poppy). A professional photographer,

film editor (for Walter Cronkite at CBS and 60 minutes), and volunteer firefighter with Elmont for

over 30 years.

Personal Qualities

Kind, friendly, patient, humble and respectful. Observant. Insightful. A deep thinker but with a

sharp wit and dry quick sense of humor. Always charitable with his time. Always giving the

benefit of doubt. Always, thoughtful and generous to everyone, but particularly to his family.

Special Interests – A Renaissance Man

● Music: In his youth, Rich played drums and talked about seeing Jazz great Buddy Rich

in person.

● Art: Professional photography, and professional and home movie making.

● Outdoorsman: He loved and respected nature as a deer hunter, sharing this with his son.

● Classic movies, and TV shows. (He loved Columbo!)

● An expert at crossword puzzles. Easily finishing NY Times crossword while riding the

LIRR into the city and back for decades.

● A master of jigsaw puzzles. (Constantly spread out over any spare table surface in the

house.)

● A lover of fine food and drink. Rich and Kathy were a mainstay at King Umberto’s and

enjoyed that for many many years with friends and family.

● Sports. In his youth Rich played shortstop and was very good. He tried out for the New

York Giants in the 50s. They liked him but Rich hit line drives and they needed power

hitters.

● He was an avid Brooklyn Dodgers and NY Mets fan. He loved his NY Islanders and had

season tickets with his family to see them win 4 Stanley Cups in the 80s.

● Charity: For years Rich supported The Three Strohm Sisters foundation and in particular

his wife Kathy, whose driving energy was anchored with his calm nature and practicality.

● His grandkids! He loved talking with them, and sharing his experiences and insights.

How proud he was of how they are flourishing in their lives. How truly rewarding that

must have been for him.