Richard “Rick” H. Cummings, Jr.

Richard Henry Cummings, Jr., affectionately known as Rick, transitioned peacefully at home surrounded by love and prayer on the evening of February 4, 2026. He was born on March 2, 1948 in Baltimore, MD. As the first son of Jeanne Harvey Cummings and Richard H. Cummings, Sr.’s three children, he was always one step ahead with a plan in one hand, and a book in the other. From his early years, he was both a renaissance man and one who was ahead of his time. One core value throughout his life was to be a man of the people, who served his community and encouraged both the personal and humanistic development of himself and others.

His mother saw that he was bright and when he was only 4, enrolled him in Kindergarten. He attended segregated schools until high school and then went to an all male specialty magnet school- Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He followed his passion for math and science by majoring in Industrial Engineering at Lafayette College, where he played lacrosse and joined Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity. In 1969, when he graduated with his B.A., he displayed his inherent artistic talent by designing the cover for his college yearbook. 

Rick and Krista met in 1967 on a blind date and dated until they both graduated. When he began his MBA program at University of Chicago, they broke up and he was then drafted for the Vietnam War in 1972. Rick and Krista continued writing letters to each other on special occasions, during which time Krista introduced Rick to Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.

He served in the Army until his honorable discharge in 1974. He earned a National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal, serving as a non-combatant in Kaiserschlaten, Germany.

When he returned, he lived in Philadelphia and worked for SunOil, as the president of Sun’s Minority Enterprise Small Business Investment Corporation (MESBIC). He also sat on the U.S. Treasury Department’s Small Business Advisory Council. 

Rick decided to follow up on Krista’s suggestion to explore the non-violent teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. He took the initiative to find the Soka Gakkai International (the lay Buddhist organization) in his own time, but once he committed, he became a steadfast pioneer for over 50 years! Offering guidance and striving to embody the “Mentor-Disciple relationship”, Rick served in several supportive roles of leadership, even helping to establish the South Jersey Buddhist Community Center. After he and Krista reunited, they created a “Kosen-Rufu” (world peace) castle in Camden- opening their home for Buddhist meetings, as they began to establish their family. After a long, prayer-filled journey of nine years, Rick and Krista had two children, Maren and Mariko.

As the City of Camden’s Business Administrator and then Executive Director of Housing and Urban Development under Mayor Primas, Rick began to apply his business acumen to directly serve the people in the community in which he and his family lived. He demonstrated the SGI core belief that each individual has the power to develop a life of value creation to positively influence their community. Later, Rick began work at EdTech as a Project Director- managing consultants and non-profits. He also sat on the board of multiple organizations, including the NJ Department of Personnel Local Government Advisory Board, CPAC- Community Planning & Advocacy Council, and the Community Impact Cabinet of United Way of Camden County. 

From 1995-2006, Rick first volunteered, then served as President and Managing Director of the Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation (CEZC). He led the implementation and start-up of the $21 million federally funded neighborhood revitalization and resident empowerment program. During this time, he mentored young people, both in his professional capacity at CEZC, and in his SGI Leadership capacity as an Advisor for the Stockton College Buddhist Club. Rick always encouraged & supported other people’s dreams, so many would come to him for both his great listening ear and guidance based on diligent study.  

Rick and Krista were a couple that diverged from typical gender norms, creating a life-long partnership that highlighted their strengths and ambitions, as well as their children's development of family values. Rick wholeheartedly supported Krista when she changed careers- including obtaining another graduate degree and starting a business after retirement. He obtained his Law Degree from Rutgers University, and subsequently became a part time Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University. During this period, he was also a stay-at-home dad and participated fully in his children’s daily activities, including becoming an elementary school “Classroom Father.” This continued through their teen years, with him attending Maren’s high school plays and Mariko’s college field hockey games.

He was a dedicated husband, father, and man of deep Buddhist faith, who strove to create value every day with his thoughts, words, and actions. He was a Renaissance Man: a man of many talents and much knowledge, who devoted himself to encouraging others. He was emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and always encouraged people to grow as human beings. His vast array of knowledge and humanism allowed him to make complex concepts easy for people to understand and apply in their lives. His love of music - from Operas and Musicals to Jazz and The Temptations - helped him better connect with his family. In his leisure time, he enjoyed exploring new technology and gadgets. His love of calligraphy was representative of his love of all artistic creative expression. His life was a brilliant collage of unlimited love.

Rick was a man of integrity, empathy, and compassion. The Buddhist values of peace, dialogue and determination were manifested throughout his life; he continued to demonstrate his “Human Revolution” (willingness to grow as a human being), in his fight for victory from this life into the next. 

Rick’s legacy lives on through his wife, Krista Bey; their children, Maren and Mariko Cummings; sister, Linda Allisiano; sister-in-law, Iris Mungin Bey; brother-in-law, William Mungin Bey, Jr. (Marisol); and father-in-law, William Mungin Bey. He was pre-deceased by his father, Richard H. Cummings, Sr.; Mother, Jeanne H. Cummings; brother, Glenford Cummings; cousin, Lewis Hudnell; and mother-in-law, Seraphim Mungin Bey. 

He will forever remain in the hearts of countless other cherished friends, neighbors, and members of the Soka Gakkai International. 

In loving memory of a noble trailblazer who encouraged people with wise words and a caring smile.

- Peace is the only way -

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