Richard B. Seidel

Richard B. Seidel, 84, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Naples, Florida, passed away on January 30, 2026.

Born on April 20, 1941, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Richard was the son of the late Charles Walter Seidel and Mary Stuart Williams Seidel.

Richard was a graduate of Archmere Academy (1958), Georgetown University (1963), and St. John’s University School of Law (1966).

Following his education, Richard embarked on a long and distinguished career in finance and investment management. He began at Girard Bank (now BNY Mellon), where he held senior positions including trust administration, tax management and investments. In 1983, he became President and Co-Founder of The Fairfield Group, expanding the company into a multibillion-dollar asset management company. After selling the company, Richard devoted time to his family, attending his grandchildren’s events, expanding his philanthropic endeavors, and pursuing a growing passion for birdwatching. In 1993, he opened a Wild Bird Center retail store with a longtime friend.

In March 1996, he founded Girard Partners, Ltd., where he served as Chairman for more than 30 years. In April 2015, he became Founder and Chairman of Girard Private Investment, based in Naples, Florida, and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. In April 2020, he also assumed the role of Chairman of Liberty Private Client, a position he held until his passing.

Professionally, Richard was a former board member of Wilmington Funds, TriState Capital Bank, and Chartwell Investment Partners. Richard also served on numerous nonprofit Boards including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Surrey Services for Seniors, Valley Forge National Park and Riverbend Environmental Center.

Richard’s interests included traveling, reading, golfing, and birdwatching. He was deeply committed to philanthropic endeavors and cherished time spent with his family and friends.

Richard is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ann Keenan Seidel; his children, Christianne Stuart Seidel and Thomas Bascom Seidel; and his grandchildren, Erin Elizabeth Beatty (Perry Chung), Catherine Corrigan Beatty, Michael Richard Beatty (Sakura Chen), and Micaela Keenan Beatty. He was predeceased by his son, Geoffrey Keenan Seidel (2020). He is survived by Geoffrey’s children, Grace Keenan Seidel and Jared Alexander Seidel.

Private services will be held in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Erin Beatty Fund for Cardiac Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, Attn: Hannah Rawdin, PO Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352.