Richard Anisfield

Paterson native Richard C. Anisfield was a graduate of Eastside High School and a bomber pilot in World War II. His family worked in the silk industry, "and we all know what happened to the silk industry," Millicent Anisfield said. "Dick had a tremendous drive to be successful and was determined that [business failure] was not going to happen to him." Mr. Anisfield studied at New York University for four years but did not receive a degree. He became a business consultant and, with no background in lighting, purchased Kurt Versen Co. in 1956. He sold the company in 2005. In addition to his wife of 63 years, he leaves his daughters, Susan Vallario of Upper Saddle River and Nancy Anisfield of Hinesburg, Vt., and a sister, Rita Kirschner.