Herbert Richards (1941-2020)

RICHARDS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/24/2020 at 10:20:34

Herbert Walter Richards, 78, of Brooklyn, IA died Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at Mercy Medical Center. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the St. Patrick Parish Hall. A celebration of life mass will begin at 10:30 Friday, January 31, 2020 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church presided over by Rev. John Gossman. Lunch will be served at St. Patrick Parish center immediately proceeding mass.

Herb is survived by his wife Mary; his children, Kelly Marie, Patrick (Susan), Brighid (Douglas); his grandchildren, Miki, Miya, Andrew (Alexa), Kennedy and Gwyneth; his siblings, Elsie, Fern, Dale (Kathy), Paul (Julie) and Teresa; his brothers in law and sisters in law; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Herb was preceded in death by his son in law, Yasuo; his sister and brother in law, Adele and Leroy; and brothers in law, Charles and Bud.

Herb was born on December 11, 1941 in Dubuque, son of Walter and Bernice Link Richards. The family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1946 and he graduated from Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School in 1960, where he was a football and wrestling standout. His senior year he was co-captain while earning All State, 1st Team MVC and Gazette All City Team honors. Herb was later inducted into the Jefferson football and wrestling Hall of Fame. He married Mary Kelly on October 20, 1962 in Cedar Rapids. Herb worked for Ladco Sheetmetal for 20 years, and retired from Quaker Oats in 2004. Herb spent many Saturday mornings coaching youth wrestling at the Ellis YMCA, and lead St. Patricks Jr High program from 1972 through 1979. Herb took pride in teaching boys how to be good wrestlers and become good men.

Herb and Mary moved from Cedar Rapids to Holiday Lake in 2004. Herb loved Holiday Lake where he enjoyed fishing, golf cart rides, cutting wood, playing cards and visiting the casino on Wednesday mornings. He enjoyed watching all the grand kids’ sporting events, attending the NCAA wrestling tournaments and enjoyed spending time in Hawaii. He enjoyed meeting high school friends monthly, and enjoyed breakfast at Morgan Creek Park. Herb loved diet Coke and tenderloins and being with his family, and will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Brooklyn Fire Department or the Holiday Lake Conservation Board. https://www.gofundme.com/f/herb-richards-memorial?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet