Richard “Dick” Henry Fallon Jr.

BELMONT, Mass. – Richard “Dick” Henry Fallon Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and Story Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, passed away on July 13, 2025. He faced his sudden illness with dignity, courage, and his signature blend of intellect, humility, and love.

Born in Augusta, on Jan. 4, 1952, Dick was valedictorian of Cony High School, a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, and a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. He clerked for Judge J. Skelly Wright and Justice Lewis Powell Jr., before joining the Harvard Law faculty in 1982, where he taught for more than 40 years.

A leading constitutional scholar and gifted teacher, Dick authored numerous landmark books and articles and was twice honored with the Sacks-Freund Award for Teaching Excellence. His professional legacy is defined by the rare combination of a once-in-a-generation intellect and scholarship with deep gentleness, wit, and unwavering devotion to his students, colleagues, and the Harvard community.

Dick’s greatest joy was his family. He shared over four decades of love and laughter with his wife, Jennifer “Jenny” Fallon. Together, they raised two extraordinary children, Libby Weintraub (Joseph) and Doug Fallon (Maggie), and delighted in their seven grandchildren, Jeanie, Jamie, Dolly, and Vicky Weintraub, and Kenny, Paddy, and Danny Fallon.

Dick is also survived by his siblings, Deborah “Debbie” Cushman (Dale), Candace “Candy” Fallon (Pat Laliberte), and James “Jim” Fallon (Carole); his aunt, Margie Murray; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jean Murray Fallon and Richard H. Fallon, Sr.; and his sister, Honore “Honey” Jean Fallon.

In his final days, Dick dictated a sketch for a memoir that concluded: “I feel lucky in nearly every respect, especially including my family… I could not have done better if I had been permitted to choose.”

May his memory be a blessing.