Richard Nesby

Photograph of Richard fishing, courtesy of Krystal Stevens, by way of Cleveland.com.

Richard Nesby was a loving father, caring son and dear friend, a “funny” and “family-oriented man,” his daughter, Krystal Stevens, told Cleveland.com. He was born in Akron, Ohio to parents Ellen E. Nesby-Duncan and Fred Duncan and remained a longtime resident there, where he was beloved by everyone. Richard was a keen and skilled craftsman, a “versatile handyman who could fix anything and had a wealth of construction experience.” He hoped to return to the trade later in life, starting by entering a post-release program once he finished serving his sentence, ambitions he proudly shared with his family. Richard was also a builder of good times, good memories and his wider family. He loved to fish, especially in the company of his 14 grandchildren, whom he regularly took on outings. He was spiritual, defining himself as a “Free Spirited Man,” and loved telling stories. He impacted all and will be dearly missed. 

On April 26th, 2020, at age 55 and incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution Elkton in Ohio, Richard died from COVID-19-related complications at a local hospital. Aware of her father’s potential high risk status due to pre-existing health conditions, Krystal, a nurse living in Arizona, called the facility repeatedly to check if her father had been moved to precautionary isolation. Richard reported to the institute’s Health Services Department and was evaluated by staff. His condition deteriorated rapidly and he was transported to a local hospital and placed on a ventilator. After weeks of stressful silence, Krystal was allowed to see her father one last time - but by then, Richard was unresponsive. 

Richard’s death is one of the many recent tragedies his family has faced, as his father and brother both died in 2017. Richard also was preceded in death by his mother and his son, Michael Nesby. These losses weighed heavily on Richard, plummeting him into a depression that caught him in a bad situation, but ultimately “he had more good situations th[a]n bad,” Krystal told Cleveland.com. Richard eagerly anticipated a return to work and life with renewed purpose.

Photograph of Richard, obtained from his obituary. 

A sacrifice he was never asked to make, his death inspired and reinforced a judicial order to move all older or medically vulnerable incarcerated people out from the Elkton facility “through any means” - which amounted to more than 800 people, and saving countless lives as a result. A request from the Trump administration to block this ruling was mounted, which the Supreme Court refused. 

Richard was given a death sentence due to negligence, a punishment that his family has been unjustly forced to shoulder after years marred by extreme tragedy. We, along with all those he knew, mourn his loss. May the stories he loved to tell live on in all those who survive him. Richard will never take his grandchildren fishing again.

This memorial was written by MOL team member Cecile Ramin with information from reporting by Evan MacDonald of Cleveland.com, Cory Shaffer of Cleveland.com, Adam Liptak of The New York Times, and a press release by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.