Robert W. Richards

RICHARDS Robert William April 24, 1921- October 20, 2010 Robert W. Bob Richards, age 89, a former 44 year resident of Ottawa Hills Village, died peacefully in his Sylvania Township home Wednesday, October 20 surrounded by family and caregivers. Bob was born in Omaha, Nebraska, April 24, 1921, to William H. and Gertrude M. Richards. They soon thereafter relocated to Dayton, Ohio, where his father was employed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and his mother was a homemaker. From humble beginnings and upbringing, Bob worked a lifetime to provide a comfortable life for his family. From an early age, Bob had a flare for entertaining. As a young child, he played guitar at the downtown Dayton theatre when traveling road shows came to town. He, along with his only sister, performed in numerous school plays. After graduating May 23, 1939 from Dayton Northridge High School, he entered The University of Cincinnati, fulfilling his parents dream of a college degree for their only son. As a co-op student in the College of Engineering, Bob worked at various times for National Cash Register Company and later for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. Bob was a member of Triangle Engineering fraternity, where he made lifelong friendships. He received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1944 from the University of Cincinnati. Following graduation, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy as Lieutenant jg and served in the Pacific Theater for two years. He served on the USS Knox and USS Bosque. He was awarded the American Area Ribbon, WW #2 Victory Medal, Phillipine Liberation bronze star and Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon 2 stars. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy in 1947, Bob worked briefly for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, Washington before returning to Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. While working in Akron, Ohio, he met and married Miriam Walter, April 28, 1951. After living in Chicago, the couple moved to Toledo, Ohio in 1955, to be at the center of a five state sales territory he would travel for the next 40 years. With his engineering background and gift of persuasion, Bob excelled in the field of industrial sales, selling paint coatings to fellow engineers in the utility industry in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. His career began with a private, family owned company called Subox Coatings, which was later acquired by BASF Wyandotte and then by Carboline. He worked tirelessly for years to reduce costs and improve business operations for his many, long time customers. Although he will be remembered as a consummate salesman, engineer and savvy businessman/investor, his greatest contributions were outside the business world. A devoted and deeply responsible husband, son, father, in law, brother, grandpa, uncle and friend, he dedicated his adult life to inspiring and helping his three daughters reach their fullest potential. Bob yearned to learn and shared this curiosity with his family. His dedication to high ideals and achievement through hard work, as well as his competitive, fun-loving and adventuresome spirit will live on in those he inspired. He taught his family to be full of gratitude, be responsible, and work hard, and to balance those ideals with empathy, compassion, fun, family and friends. Bob enjoyed golf, dancing with his life partner Miriam, investing and travel, especially visiting relatives, friends and many business acquaintances. Travels, usually in the family Airstream trailer, took him and his family to all but a few of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces, as well as countries in Europe. Bob was a past member of Heatherdowns Country Club, Playboy Investment Club, and Triangle Fraternity Alumnae Club. He was a lifelong member of Hope Lutheran Church, recent member of the Elks Club and a member of four dance clubs, most recently, Lamplighters. Until several years ago, he particularly enjoyed the high school reunions in Dayton to see his Northridge High school buddies. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Gertrude Richards, sister and brother in law Phyllis Richards Thomas and Starr Thomas, his brother in-law Richard Walter, nephew, Michael Walter and niece, Donna Walter Wolford Sarvis, and in-laws Pauline and Forest Walter. Bob will be dearly missed by his beloved wife and life partner of 59 years, Miriam Walter Richards, their three daughters and sons-in law, Debbie Ned FischerToledo, Cheryl RichardsNew Orleans, and Carolyn Andy Wood Morgantown, W.Va., four grandchildren, Andrew and Nicholas Fischer, and Samantha and Melissa Wood, sister in law, Betty B. Walter, nephews Ric Mary Walter, and Philip Thomas, and nieces Chris Mike Walter Cox, Penny Tom Walter Pickett, PamEdThomas Thies. Bobs family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Friends of the Family LLC and the devoted caregivers who helped Bob the last 3 years as vascular dementia stole his keen intellect and memory. Bobs determination, humor, and love of life and family lasted to the end. The family also wishes to thank Bobs doctor, Dr. Arun Mathur, and the many medical and financial professionals who made it possible for Bob to end his years with one on one care at home as he so wished. Visitation will be held at Walker Funeral Home 5155 W. Sylvania Ave, Friday, October 22, 69 pm , Graveside services and interment will be held in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, October 23 at 11:30 pm, at The Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery 8135 North Dixie Drive, where three generations of descendants of William and Gertrude Richards are memorialized. May Bob rest in peace, and may his memory live on through his wife, daughters and grandchildren. Bob would not want his family and friends to grieve for him, but rather to go on and live a life as he so taught. He will be sorely missed. If friends desire, contributions may be made in memory of Bob to the donors favorite charity. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.