Robert W. Richards

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Faithbridge Church, Park Rapids, MN VISITATION : Friday, November 22, 2013 from 5-7 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MN SURVIVORS : ROBERT WAYNE "BOB" RICHARDS SEPTEMBER 25, 1942 " NOVEMBER 19, 2013 On November 19, 2013, Robert (Bob) Wayne Richards of Nevis, MN, age 71, took hold of the hand of his Lord and Savior, Jesus, and walked through the gates of Heaven where he was received by a host of loved ones who had gone before him. We rejoice with him as he sheds this mortal body and is clothed with an eternal one! We look forward to being reunited in that place where there will be no more sickness, pain or sorrow. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the hope that is within us!Bob was born on September 25,1942 in Moorhead, MN to Robert (Dolly) Harvard Richards and Alma Lenore (Langseth) Richards. He enjoyed telling stories of growing up on the family's dairy farm where he milked cows by hand and helped to deliver it door-to-door. He also had fond memories of the hard work of planting and harvesting crops. As he grew older he joined the family tradition of driving school bus and working in his parent's grocery store in addition to farm chores. He attended Glyndon-Felton Schools in Glyndon, MN where he graduated from high school at the age of sixteen. He went on to study agriculture at NDSU. At age 18 he trained to become a dental ceramist which was his career for many years. The last ten years of his working career were spent driving the Heartland Express Bus in Hubbard County.Bob's first marriage, in 1961, was blessed with four wonderful children: Bob III, Tamara, Mishelle and Trevor. In 1980, while living in Colorado, Bob was remarried to Lisa Foreman of Longmont whom he met while singing in the church choir. They lived in Lyons, CO until 1981 when they returned to the Glyndon area. In 1989 they moved to Nevis where they raised their three youngest children, sons Jordan and Josh, and daughter Micah.Bob never forgot his farming roots and always had a love for animals, especially horses. Over the years he raised cows and goats as well as keeping a small herd of horses. He was always a John Deere enthusiast and always had a tractor on his small farm outside of Nevis. Above all, he was a dedicated father and husband who supported his children in everything they loved to do. In his younger years he coached various sports and was a Boy Scout leader. In later years he acted as chauffeur and attended all of his children's sporting events. He was a very special and loving husband who worked hard to care for his family. His grandchildren were his greatest delight in life and he only wished he could have spent more time with them. He enjoyed meeting people and befriended people easily. He was always ready to lend a hand when needed.Bob was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his brother Scott, and his great-grandson, Gabriel. He is survived by his seven children (Bob, Tamara, Mishelle, Trevor, Jordan, Josh and Micah) thirteen grandchildren (Aaron, Ryan, Kayla, Esther, Victoria, Cody, Kristen, Chloe, Katie, Nathan, Ellie, Audrey and Hazel) and two great-grandchildren (Hailey and Oliver). Bob will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we thank God for His promise that He has gone to prepare a place for us so that we can all be together with Him forever.