Funeral Service
Christ Presbyterian Church- Email Details
- 530 Tuscarawas ST W Canton, Ohio 44702
- Friends may call 9:30 - 10:45 in the church parlor on Saturday.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Robert E.
Richards
October 12, 1928 – February 23, 2018
Obituary
Robert E. "Bob" Richards, Age 89, of North Canton, Ohio, passed away on Friday February 23, 2018. He was born on October 12, 1928 in Zanesville, Ohio, son of Olive B. and George E. Richards. Bob was educated at Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, PA, where he met his bride of 65 years, Ethel Mae (Kern), and at the University of Pittsburgh.
After college, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Ethel Mae, completed Officers' Candidate School, and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the United States Army, honorably serving at Ft. Bliss, TX during the Korean War. After the war Bob entered business, beginning as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative with E.R. Squibb & Sons, then holding management and senior executive positions with Clarkins, Giant Tiger / Gaylords, and World's Best Catalog Showrooms. In 1974 Bob started what was the 25th office of Sanford Rose Associates International (SRAI), then started other SRAI offices, and later served as a member of SRAI's Board of Directors, Ethics Chairman, and then President of the Board. Bob later took his business independent from SRAI as Executive Directions,finally retiring in 1996 as Chairman & CEO of Executive Directions, the company he founded in 1974. Bob continued as Chairman Emeritus on The Board of Directors of Executive Directions and its affiliated company, Pinnacle International, until his death
Bob was an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church of Canton, Ohio since 1954. In addition to teaching Sunday school and serving as a Skipper of Mariners, he served on a number of committees within the Presbytery and church, as Trustee, ordained Elder, and Clerk of Session. He also served as Chairman of the Camp Committee (Camp Wakonda), Chairman of the Stewardship Committee, Chairman of a Pastoral Search Committee, and on the Evangelism Committee. Bob was also a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the R.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania for almost 67 years.
Bob's community activities included being a nominee for President of the Canton Jaycees in 1960, serving on the Canton Jaycee Board of Directors, and on the Jaycee committee involved in bringing the Football Hall of Fame to Canton, Ohio.
Bob enjoyed time spent at the family's second home on Siesta Key beach, family vacations, and with his children and grandchildren. Until knee surgery curbed his agility, he loved hunting pheasant with his sons and his faithful German Shorthaired Pointer, Mickey, who has undoubtedly greeted him with boundless enthusiasm at the Rainbow Bridge.
Bob leaves a wonderful legacy of integrity and leadership in business, community, church, and faithful service to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Mae, and is survived by their three children, Deborah A. (Greg) Theirl, Paul E. (Jan, preceded in death) Richards, and R. Glenn (Tina) Richards; Sister-in-law, Lois K. (Richard, preceded in death) Forsythe and many beloved nieces and nephews. Grandchildren; Erik and Sarah Yannone, Garrett Richards, Jordan Borowsky, Beth (Jon) Creed, Dan (Martha) Theirl, Alicia and Michael Richards; and great-grandchild Raegan Creed.
Funeral service 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3rd, in Christ Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Eldon Trubee officiating. Interment will be in North Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the church parlor on Saturday. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Camp Wakonda C/O Christ Presbyterian Church 530 Tuscarawas St., W. Canton, Ohio 44705. Please sign the guest book.
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Robert E. Richards's Guestbook
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