Richards, Richard Lee (1952-2016)

RICHARDS, KLEIN, VERSTEEG, ALBJERG, KELLY, VANDERWOUDE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, June 30, 2016

Richard Lee Richards was born on July 31, 1952 to Lee Bolton Richards and Irene Klein Richards in Eldora, IA. He passed away on June 28, 2016, surrounded by his family in Des Moines, IA. His family lived in Webster City where he graduated from high school [1970] and began his love of performing in the theater and singing. He graduated from Augustana College (now University) in Sioux Falls, SD and went on to graduate from Drake University with a law degree in 1977. His career in the legal profession took him from the Iowa Attorney General's Office to the Polk County Prosecutors office, and from 1983 until his retirement at the end of October, 2015, to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa. He loved the various aspects of the law he practiced as a public servant.

On August 26, 1978 he married Sylvia Versteeg in Sioux Falls, SD. Together they raised three children, Nicholas of Denver, CO, Paige of Toledo, OH and Michael of Coralville, IA.

Richard was well known by his friends-co-workers, family and the community for his booming voice, singing ability and flair for the dramatic at home, in the courtroom and on the stage.

Through the years he has performed in many productions at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, The Drama Workshop, Des Moines Metro Opera and Repertory Theater of Iowa. Outside of Iowa he had performed at The Nashville Opera, the Pensacola Opera and the Wamego Theater in Wamego, KS. He also shared his singing voice with the choirs and members of First Christian Church, St. John's Lutheran Church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Temple B'nai Jeshurun.

Surviving him are his wife, Sylvia; and children, Nick (Kate), Paige (Eric) Albjerg and Michael (Eliza Kelley); brother, Kevin and his wife, Dawn of LeMars, IA; his brother-in-law and his wife, Maurice and Vickie Versteeg of Sioux Falls, SD; five nephews, Todd (Marci) and Lynn (Becky) Versteeg, Ian (Christa), Colin and Evan Richards; niece, Shari (Chad) VanderWoude; and a host of cousins, extended family and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Irene Richards; a still-born son, William; and his father and mother-in-law, Marion and Henrietta Versteeg.

A special thank you to Dr. Tom Buroker, his staff, and the staff of Powell 3.

Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, First Christian Church, or Repertory Theater of Iowa. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Visitation will be held Friday, July 1, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines and the memorial service on Saturday, July 2 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 600 6th Avenue in Des Moines.