This month the literary world lost one of its own in the form of Richard David Story. The magazine’s editor died suddenly before the weekend, but no further details were given.
On Friday, March 5, 2021, Richard David Story passed away at the age of 68 in New York City. The former editor-in-chief of “Departures” died suddenly, according to his family spokesperson.
No further details were given on the cause of his death. In life, Story had worked for some of the biggest magazines like “Vogue”, “InStyle”, “Esquire” and “New York”.
Richard David Story at the Departures Philanthropy Honor Gala with Kevin Spacey and Norah O’Donnell on October 7, 2014 in New York City | Photo “Neilson Barnard / Getty Images
As well as being an editor and writer, the star has spent her life traveling and understood how fashion, culture and luxury fit together. His last writing job was for “Town & Country”, and he also wrote a column for “Air Mail”.
He was born in Oklahoma City before graduating from Northwest Classen High School. In school, Story showed some of his many skills when he excelled in debates.
Richard David Story speaks onstage at the American Express Publishing Luxury Summit on April 21, 2013 in Dana Point, California | Photo: Michael Kovac / Getty Images
He received his undergraduate degree from Williams College. Story began his editorial career with Reader’s Digest when the company was still in its infancy in Westchester County.
He then moved on to “Travel + Leisure” and found his next home in “Esquire”. The late editor-in-chief also found his future wife, Jennifer Crandall, at “Esquire” and they stayed together for 31 years.
Very sad to hear of the passing of Richard David Story, longtime editor of Departures until 2017. He wrote a very entertaining book called World of Departures (#to travel and #luxury aficionados will love it): https://t.co/PUciTbQQ9f
– Tiffany Dowd (@LuxeTiffany) March 6, 2021
At “Vogue” he was editor-in-chief of their features and editor-in-chief of “InStyle”. At “New York” magazine, Story worked as an associate editor and spent his time at “USA Today”.
In 2000, the late editor-in-chief joined “D Départts†before leaving the magazine 17 years later. He has traveled extensively to countries like Rajasthan and Botswana, and last fall he and his wife went to Santa Fe.
The area happened to be where Story and his wife, Crandall, spent their honeymoon after their wedding. In 2014, Assouline published his coffee table book entitled “The world of departuresâ€.
A memorial has not been planned for Story, who is survived by his wife, son Zachary Story and brother Craig Story. Graydon Carter is one of the people who paid tribute to Story.
In our “Checks and Balance” podcast, we take a look at the legacy of Rush Limbaugh, pioneer of Donald Trump’s anti-elitism brand https://t.co/jdYM29SBT9 pic.twitter.com/wvgl1dlHtE
– The Economist (@TheEconomist) March 6, 2021
Carter is the man behind the “Air Mail” newsletter. In 2015, “Departures†dedicated its July / August issue to an all-American summer by sharing some of Story’s favorite travel destinations.
Another star who died recently was longtime radio host Rush Limbaugh. He died at the age of 70 on February 17, 2021, after a short battle with stage 4 lung cancer.
