Richardson, Edwin W. - 1927-2012

JOLLY, RICHARDSON, SCHWARTZ, TOBEY, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 7/24/2024 at 10:36:59

Edwin W. Richardson passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2012. Ed was born near Lynn, IN on August 25, 1927 to Walter E and Ruth Williams Richardson. He attended local schools and graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1945. He served three years in the US Air Force and then attended Earlham College in Richmond, IN for two years before transferring to Western Michigan University.
He graduated with a B.A. in Education in 1952 and a Masters degree in Library Science in 1954. His career began as the High School Librarian for the Portage Michigan Public Schools and later he became Director of the Libraries. While in Portage, he and his wife helped establish the Portage Public Library. In 1968 he accepted the position of Director of the Des Moines Public School Libraries. He retired in 1991.
He was active in Boy Scouts and enjoyed model railroads, photography, computers and most of all, reading. He loved to travel and had visited all fifty States and much of Canada.
He married Beverly Tobey on August 19, 1951 and together they have three children, Judy Schwartz of West Des Moines, Mark (Pamela) Richardson of Chariton and Paula (Robert) Jolly of Norwalk. He is also survived by five grandchildren, several brother and sister-in laws and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be at Glendale Cemetery on Tuesday, August 14 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to the Iowa Genealogical Society or Windsor United Methodist Church.
Brooks Funeral Care
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, August 12, 2012, page 10B