Willard A. Richardson (1912-2007)

RICHARDSON, KNIGGE, CONLEY, ROLL

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 9/26/2007 at 21:58:10

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, September 26, 2007.

March 13, 1912-Sept. 22, 2007

Willard A. Richardson, 95, of Gretna, Neb., died Saturday, Sept. 22. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at Pacific Hills Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Willard A. Richardson was born March 13, 1912, in James. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in electrical engineering. He began his career in the 1930s as an electrical engineer working to bring power to rural Iowans. By the time he retired in 1977, he was involved with nuclear power plants. He was licensed as an engineer in Nebraska and 20 other states and once served as a national director of the Society of American Military Engineers.

Richardson was the R in HDR Inc. The company started in 1917 as the Henningson Engineering Co. Richardson and Charles Durham's names were added to the firm's name in 1952.

He served as president of the Omaha Engineers Club and president of the Nebraska Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. In his later years, he cheered on ISU engineering students who built and raced solar-powered cars.

Throughout his life, he was an active volunteer in the Lutheran church and Omaha community affairs. He was president of the congregation of First Lutheran Church and later was president of Pacific Hills Lutheran Church.

He also served on the board, as chairman and interim director, of Lutheran Family and Social Service, now Lutheran Family Services. He was active in the Omaha Executives Association for more than 50 years, serving as its president.

He served as director on a number of public service boards, including the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, the Nebraska State Board of Health and the Douglas County Mental Health Advisory Committee.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Leitha Knigge Richardson, of Gretna, Neb.; two daughters, Cathie Conley, of Norwalk, and Carolyn Roll, of Bentonville, Ark.; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, with family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. at Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, in Omaha.

Memorials may be given to Pacific Hills Lutheran Church Foundation, Valparaiso University, or charity of your choice.

Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel in Omaha is in charge of arrangements.

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