It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of BST & Co. Founding Partner Rich Bollam, who died peacefully on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Rich was instrumental in growing BST to the prestigious and well-respected financial-management, consulting and tax-solutions entity it is today.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rich’s wife, Stephanie, their children, Jeremy and Hillary, and their families. While we are deeply saddened by his passing, we are likewise grateful for everything he helped us achieve over the years. Rich’s leadership throughout BST’s early years helped us navigate and master new and unproven business models.
Founding partner Joe Torani had many times referred to Rich as the rudder of the BST ship – keeping the vessel between the buoys as the firm grew and expanded.
Rich was characterized by his colleagues as a ‘fierce client server.’ Clients appreciated his knowledge, drive and ability to bring their financial goals to fruition. A number of Rich’s original clients remain with the firm today.
Among his many accomplishments, there is one that stands apart from the rest. He worked with Dick Wallace and Dr. Shirish Parikh to form a radiology group in the 1980s and 1990s that seeded what is known today as Community Care Physicians, currently the largest independent physician practice in the Capital Region.
Rich held a number of academic degrees, including an engineering degree from R.P.I., prior to turning his focus to accounting. His engineering prowess came under scrutiny each year during BST’s annual racquet ball tournament – an event he inaugurated in the 1990s. He used his engineering knowledge to stand in the middle of the court and continuously hit balls at angles that made his opponents run in circles. He won the tournament every year (we think), seemingly with very little effort.
While the ‘B’ in BST is no longer with us, we will remember Rich fondly and with enduring respect. We look forward to carrying on his legacy to the best of our collective ability.
In Loving Memory of Founding Partner Richard Owen Bollam: Link to Obituary