Roland Richards

Roland H. Richards, age 91 of Alliance, passed away at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at Community Care Center. He was born December 18, 1918 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Edgar and Evelyn (Drew) Richards. Roland graduated from Eastwood High School in Syracuse in 1937. He attended General Motors Technical Institute, but left when World War II started, where he served in the U.S. Navy as a Machinist Mate on board the Destroyer Escort USS Booth. He came to Alliance in 1946 to work at Alliance Manufacturing, where he remained until retirement as a Chief Draftsman and Head Designer. He was an active member of the First United Presbyterian Church, where he served in many capacities over the years, including Elder and Sunday school class teacher. He was also active in many clubs and organizations in Alliance, including the Mason’s, Lion’s, American Legion, the Republican Club, the AARP club at the Senior Center, Mended Hearts Support of Alliance Community Hospital, the Buckeye Trailer Club, and he participated in several golf leagues over the years. His most notable accomplishment here in Alliance was his love for art painting. While establishing his own private business named the “Painter’s Pallette”, he was an active supporter and instructor at the Alliance Art Center and during retirement, at the Senior Center as well. He was acknowledged by the Alliance Review as a long time local artist in an article they published on September 5, 2008. Survivors include his two sons, Timothy Richards of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Thomas (Constance) Richards of St. Peters, Missouri; two granddaughters, Holly Mack of Gilbert, Arizona, and Kimberly Dunn of O’Fallon, Missouri; four great-granddaughters; and dear companion, Virginia King of Alliance. He was preceded in death by his parents, the love of his life, his first wife, Jean E. (Eisenbarth) Richards, whom he married Jan. 13, 1945, and who died Sept. 17, 1999; his second wife, Betty Baxter; and one great-granddaughter. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at First United Presbyterian Church with Pastor Jim McCurdy officiating. Friends may call from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at Walton-Schrader Funeral Home. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Roland Richards

December 18, 1918 - April 21, 2010