Richard Bruce Bilder

Richard Bruce Bilder, beloved father and husband; renowned international law scholar and professor; long-term editor of the Journal of the American Society of International Law; U.S. Navy veteran; and avid recreational swimmer, died peacefully on January 18, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was 97 years old.

Richard’s career was dedicated to the important and complex challenges of international law and the betterment of international relations. He began as an attorney in the Office of Legal Advisor at the U.S. State Department, where his work inspired him to author critical studies including the seminal Role of the Legal Advisor of the Department of State. In this capacity he traveled to Antarctica in 1957 as part of the International Geophysical Year, a cooperative event involving 67 nations, later receiving the Antarctic service medal. He then served more than 50 years as a Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin Law School, including as the Foley & Lardner-Bascom Professor and a visiting professor at domestic and international law schools. During this time, Richard published scores of articles on topics including the role of apology; human rights; science and stewardship in the Antarctic; legal regimes for mining Helium-3 on the moon; dispute resolution; and the law of the sea. His last article, outlining roles for the international community should contact with extraterrestrial life occur, was published at the age of 93. Richard’s book, Managing the Risks of International Agreement, remains a crucial reminder of the necessity for thoughtful and strategic international cooperation in an ever-changing world. 

In addition to teaching, Richard was deeply engaged in the American Society of International Law, where he held roles including Vice President of the Society and almost 30 years as an Editor of the Society’s Journal. Among other positions, he served on the Executive Board of the Law of the Sea Institute; as Chair of the International Courts Committee of the American Bar Association and Committee on Diplomatic Protection of the International Law Association; on U.S. delegations to international conferences; and as an arbitrator in international and domestic disputes.

Richard was born in 1927 in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Walter Jennings Bilder and Anne Singer Bilder. His brother Lawrence (Larry) Bilder was also an attorney and later Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court. Richard was educated at Williams College and Harvard University Law School, and was a Fulbright Scholar at England’s Cambridge University. He joined the U.S. Navy towards the end of World War II, serving from 1945-46, and rejoined to serve on a destroyer minesweeper during the Korean War from 1951-53. He returned to continue in the U.S. Naval Reserve, retiring from service as Commander (Judge Advocate General Corps).

Richard’s favorite pastime was swimming, an activity nourished by his fond memories of summer camp in Maine. Year-round, Richard would dutifully perform his laps in his Village swimming pool or in the University recreational center pool. For many summers, Richard inspired his children to face the early morning bracing waters of Kangaroo Lake in northern Wisconsin.

Above all else, Richard loved his wife of 60 years, Sally Robbins Bilder, and his four children: Mary Sarah, Anne, David, and Debbie. His strong work ethic, integrity, sense of fairness, compassion, dedication, and sense of humor were forever aimed in support and encouragement of his beloved family. He loved spending time with and hearing about the education and adventures of his 10 grandchildren ,and being surrounded by the noise and laughter of family was one of his greatest joys. As was his wish, his passing was marked by being surrounded by his four children.

Richard is survived by his wife, Sally Robbins Bilder; his four children: Mary Sarah Bilder (David Mackey), Anne Elizabeth Bilder (Johan den Boon), David Herbert Bilder (Alice Chen), and Deborah Lynn Bilder (Lee Serota); his ten grandchildren: Eleanor Mackey, Lucy Mackey, Dana Mackey, Lizzie Mackey, Saskia den Boon, Martijn den Boon, Anda Bilder, Duncan Bilder, Max Serota, and Harry Serota; and his sister-in-law, Veronica Bilder.

Donations in Richard’s memory can be made to the Wisconsin Foundation for either the Richard B. Bilder Scholarship Fund, which supports public international law students at UW, or SallyBilder’s English Cottage Garden Fund, which supports Allen Centennial Garden. https://secure.supportuw.org/give/

Information about a memorial celebration for Richard will be forthcoming.

Please share your memories of Richard by posting in his guestbook at: www.CressFuneralService.com.

Cress Funeral Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434