Richards, Richard (“Dick”)

Born Jun 4, 1933
Died Oct 28, 2006

• From 2007 Annual Show Program:
  
  In Memoriam
  
  A "Hall of Fame Barbershopper" .....
  
       I remember a man who gave of himself in many areas; he was a man who served in the United States Navy, a man who flew as a test pilot for McDonnell Douglas, a man who worked for and loved the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams and the Hall of Fame. Well Dick, you have made it to the Barbershop Hall of Fame. A barbershopper for well over 50 years, you did it all. I knew that you served as a chapter counselor and coordinator for the woodshedding organization on the District and International levels. But the most important things you did were for this chapter - right here. When I joined in 1979, you were already a key man in the Chapter. You always sang in a great quartet, many even before my time. As I recall, you always knew your part, so they made you section leader. You could read music and sing other parts (you should not have let them know that) so when the need arose you stepped up and led this group of men. You were always trying to improve by going to schools and watching videos and asking question. It was never about Dick, it was always what you could do to improve the Chapter.
  
       All I can say is that I hope that we can keep things going the way that you would have wanted them. We all dearly miss you and your great ear for our style of music. Every time we lose another friend it is not easy, it never gets that way, easier, it just hurts. I hope that there are a few guys there to ask you to woodshed one with them.
  
  By Rodney Mehlberg

• From Newsletter June 15, 1994
  
  I originally joined the Society in 1950 with the Woodstock, IL Chapter. I sang Bari with my first quartet (The Spinal Chords) in college from 1953 to 1955. After discharge from the Navy and moving to St. Louis in 1966, where I joined the Florissant Valley Chapter.