Robert E. Richard
Robert Edward Richard, 84, of Iowa Park passed away Thursday December 30, 2021. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 29, 2022 in the Chapel of Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park.
Robert was born on September 21, 1937 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to Emile Edward Richard and Jeannette Breault Richard. His family moved to Springvale, Maine in 1944 where he grew up. He went to Notre Dame Catholic School in Springvale, where he was an altar boy. Attended Sanford High school where he graduated in 1955. As a youth he enjoyed spending time at his Uncle Adelare “Dell” Breaults camp. He belonged to the Boy Scouts along with his brother Raymond in Acton, Maine learning many skills. He enjoyed spending time with his father Emile Richard learning his father’s trade as a skilled carpenter. He also enjoyed as a youth restoring old cars. In his youth he restored a Model T ford from the late 20’s. He enjoyed spending time with his many friends ice skating, fishing, and hunting as well as roller skating. Robert joined the United States Air Force in 1955 at the young age of 17. He served in the 381st Strategic Missile Wing (SAC). One of his accomplishments while being in 381st Strategic Missile Wing (SAC) was shooting the “Titan Missile” He traveled to many countries while in the Air Force but his favorite was Germany. While stationed in Germany in 1958 he met Helga on a blind date and married her 10 months later. He always said that the best souvenirs he ever got were from Germany. He retired after serving 24 years in the Air Force in September 1978. Once he retired he went to work at Wash-Ex Machinery where he worked for 15 years as an electrician. He graduated from Vernon College in 1983 with an Associate’s Degree in Business management and continued on to MSU. He worked at Vernon College for ten years as a lab assistant. He loved hunting, fishing, tinkering on old cars, his pride is a 1929 Model A that he had been restoring and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids and great-grand kids.
Robert and Helga were married in March of 1959 and were married for 62 years. They had five children; Diane, Kathy, Nancy, Robert Jr., and Debbie, seven grand children and six great grandchildren, two beloved dogs Misty May and Cesar Ray Richard.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, brother Raymond, daughter Kathy Guy Richard Smith, son-in-law Ronny “Bud” Smith, and son-in-law Charles Russel Heacox.
He is survived by his wife Helga Richard; daughters Diane Glaser of California; Nancy Richard Heacox and Debbie Richard of Iowa Park. Son Robert Richard Jr and wife Paula Richard of Kansas. Grand kids: Jeffrey Hunt of California his wife and son; Nicole Guy Adkins and her husband Michael Adkins of Missouri; Christopher Roberts of Oklahoma, his wife Lisa and their two sons Triston and Gavin; Charles Heacox and his wife Crystal (Metcalf) of Illinois, and their three children Nevaeh, Kaydence, and Charles Riley; Steven Heacox, and Justin and Timothy Richard from Kansas.
He is also survived by a sister Clair Richard La Pointe her husband Roger La Pointe, their two children Jeff and Denise Goldstine and their families. He has a sister-in-law Arline Richard and her three children; BettAnn, Francis, and Daniel “Danny” and his wife Patricia their two children Caleb and Samantha. Samantha’s husband Patrick walker their son Bentley and daughter Sophia.
