Richard “Dick” Nielsen, 71, passed away on April 8, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born and raised in Penn Yan, N.Y. He was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Dorothy Nielsen, and a sister, Peggy. He is survived by his spouse, Phillip Darrow, and their beloved cat, Lee. Richard worked for many years as a bookkeeper in the trucking and auto dealership industries. Later he worked for the U.S. Census Bureau and several retail merchandising companies. Due to ongoing health concerns, he retired early. Along with his husband, he served as a volunteer with Geva Theatre, AIDS Rochester, and several Gay Alliance events over the course of three decades. Over many years, his health steadily declined, and he eventually went to the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Greece, N.Y., where he passed. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, April 13, 7 p.m. at Spiritus Christi Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St, Rochester, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Yates County Humane Society.