Richard Nadeau

Richard Pierre Nadeau, 69, well-known Kansas City psychotherapist and outspoken advocate for mental health, public art and diversity in all aspects of society, died Aug. 5, 2010, at home in Kansas City. He had braved an ongoing challenge of heart and respiratory problems.
Visitation and viewing will be held at his home from Tuesday, August 10 from 5 PM to 8PM. A celebration of his life will be held, Wednesday, August 11 at 10:00 AM at the Community of Christ, Stone Church, 1012 W. Lexington, Independence, MO. Instead of flowers, his family suggests contributions in his memory to National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, or Spencer Museum at the University of Kansas.
Born of French-Canadian descent in Lewiston, ME., he lived in Kansas City more than 40 years. He and his wife, the former Virginia Jennings of Independence, MO., celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary last October.
With a personal mission to enhance the quality of life for others in all facets of life, Richard arrived in Kansas City in 1967 to recruit, train and supervise a staff of 18 counselors in the city’s first Manpower Administration Program. He worked extensively with unemployed inner city residents. He later established his own psychotherapy practice, which drew patients from throughout Greater Kansas City and beyond.
Although born legally blind, he earned a B.A.degree in government and philosophy from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in education counseling and history from the University of Maine and pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Kansas and University of Maine.
His dedication to the field of mental health brought responsibility and recognition. He served as chairman of the Mental Health Court Commission, overseeing the Jackson County Mental Health Court Diversion Program, which sent offenders into treatment instead of prison. As appropriations chairman of the Jackson County Mental Health Levy, he was responsible for the distribution of $10 million in tax levy funds to mental health agencies in Jackson County. In 2001 he organized a biannual juried art exhibition of works by mental health patients for Truman (Medical Center) Behavioral Health. In 2005, he received the Behavioral Health award for Individual Contribution to the Mental Health Community.
Other awards in mental health came from the Mattie Rhodes Center, Jackson County Executive Office, Lee’s Summit Police Department, Crittenton Children’s Center and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Greater Kansas City, which created the Richard P. Nadeau Lifetime Achievement Award for Advocacy and Community Change in his honor.
Richard’s loves were his wife, Virginia, curious people, collecting art, reading, cooking, the theater, and entertaining, relishing the ambiance, warmth, and beauty Virginia created in their home.
Richard’s many community affiliations, past and present include the Jackson County Historical Society; Historic Kansas City Foundation, Society of Fellows, Nelson-Atkins Museum; Advisory Board of the Spencer Museum University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.; Kansas City Municipal Art Commission; Greater Kansas City Health Care Foundation board and The Review, Kansas City arts magazine, board.
Surviving members of his extended family are: Wife Virginia Jennings Nadeau, Sister-in-law Mrs. Roland Nadeau, Brother-in-law Frank Jennings, Jr. (Myrna Dean), Nephew Daniel Nadeau and his daughters Isabella and Bailey, Nephew Michael Nadeau (Amy) and son Roman, Nephew Dr. Christopher Hersh (Carolyn) and children Demie and Karre, Niece Dr. Jenny Hersh (David Seideman) and daughter Addie, Nephew Steven Six (Betsy) and their children, Niece Katherine Sallerson (Peter), Niece Lori Dean (Chuck Gilbert), Niece Linda Dean and her children Jacob and Stephanie, Niece Dr. Melanie Dean (Dr. Patrick Handley) and children Lauren and Shea, Nephew Lester Dean and daughter Spencer, Nephew Paul Dean and children Jereme and Summer and their daughter, Keena Dean, and A.J. Dean.