Honoring the Lives and Legacies of Bob Richter and Richard Cox
Robert Richter and Richard Cox
Friends of New Day Films and Filmmakers,
It is with deep sadness and heartfelt gratitude that we remember two of our beloved New Day Co-op members who passed away this past year: Robert “Bob” Richter and Richard “Tony” Cox. Each of these remarkable filmmakers brought a fierce dedication to justice, creativity, and community to both their work and their lives. Their contributions helped shape New Day’s mission and impact, and their films continue to inspire dialogue, change, and hope.
As we reflect on their enduring legacies, we invite you to join us in celebrating the stories they told and the lives they touched. Their voices remain with us in every classroom, community center, and living room where their films are screened, challenging us to imagine and create a more just world.
Robert “Bob” Richter
New Day member Robert Richter passed away on February 16, 2025, following complications with heart failure. Richter has made over 50 documentaries and was a three-time Academy Award nominee for best documentary short for his films: The Gifts (1970), Gods of Metal (1982), and School of the Americas Assassins (1994). Richter joined New Day in 1986 with his film Hungry for Profit and added three more films to the New Day collection. “I make films to communicate what I believe is valuable information that I hope will motivate people to do something positive in response… I joined New Day in 1986 because I believe it is important for independent filmmakers to help each other through a community with common goals,” said Richter. In 2008 he earned multiple accolades including a National Emmy “for exceptional merit in nonfiction filmmaking” as executive producer of the HBO version of his documentary feature, The Last Atomic Bomb. Richter was born and raised in New York City and started his career by joining the Edward R. Murrow-Fred Friendly documentary team, where he produced primetime documentaries and news features with Walter Cronkite. Richter earned his B.A. from Reed College in Oregon, an MA in Public Law and Government from Columbia University, and an M.F.A. from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop; he was 95 years old. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Elizabeth (Libby) Bassett; four daughters and three grandchildren.
Richard "Tony" Cox
New Day member Richard (aka Tony) Cox passed away on April 18, 2024. He joined New Day in 2005 with his film Freedom Machines, made with Janet Cole. Cox became involved with assistive technology nearly 50 years ago, when exploring how personal computers can be adapted to help children with disabilities. As told by Cole, Cox was a longtime computer consultant, and the idea for Freedom Machines came in the late 1990s after meeting parents of children with disabilities, trying to gain access to technology to improve their kids’ educational prospects and lives. His entire motivation for the Freedom Machine project was to help people with disabilities. The film aired on POV in 2004 and will now be officially moved to “Legacy” status, with all film proceeds going to New Day. Cox also made traditional and computer animation shorts. Cox lived in El Cerrito, CA, and he worked for the West Contra Costa County school district as an IT technician. Cox was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease around 2015 and devoted himself to making dance tapes for people living with the same illness. At the time of his death, Cox lived in Pinole in a care facility; he died at the age of 73.