Other members of the family blamed Richard's parents Siegmund and Martha. Shortly after Siegmund was declared bankrupt and the following two years must have been ones of extreme difficulty for Richard, attending school and still supporting himself tutoring.
Iba pang miyembro ng pamilya blamed Richard's Siegmund mga magulang at Martha. Makalipas ang ilang sandali Siegmund ay ipinahayag bagsak at ang mga sumusunod na dalawang taon ay dapat ay na-iyan ng matinding kahirapan para sa Richard, pumapasok sa paaralan pa rin at sumusuporta sa kanyang sarili tutoring.