Ralph B. Richardson

Ralph Braun Richardson passed away peacefully on January 19th, 2023.

He was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania on February 23rd, 1932. He graduated from Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and received his Master’s Degree from Temple University. He finished his career in Personnel and Employee Relations for Ford Aerospace. Ralph worked to live, often saying that he was a “clock watcher”, because time with his family was his first priority. He brought humor, quirky music, and life lessons to his four children. He modeled service for them in many roles in St John’s Hains Church in Wernersville PA, Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cinnaminson, NJ and Geneva Presbyterian Church in Canton, MI. He especially invested in at-risk youth by providing one-on-one mentoring through The Turning Point Crisis Center Growth Works Program and the Suburban West Community Center where he also served on the Board of Directors. In addition, he annually joined in the clean-up of the Rouge River and volunteered at the election polls. He met his beloved wife Bevis on a beach in New Jersey and courted her by doing “projects” on her parents’ property. Together they traveled the world in search of the best snorkeling beaches, relished the theater, played community tennis and cross country skied when the weather allowed. His family would like to thank the caregivers at Freedom Village with whom he had many inside jokes, especially Ron who treated him with care and dignity.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leah Amalia Pfaff and Linus Carlisle “Rich” Richardson, his brother John Richardson, and his wife of 67 years, Bevis Becker Richardson. He is survived by his children, David Richardson (Laura), Lois Kolada (Paul), Peter Richardson (Wendy) and Timothy Richardson (Michele); grandchildren Jeffrey Kolada (Cristina Pandol), Brynn Kolada, Amanda Steffen (Grant), Jennifer Higgins (Spencer), James Richardson; and sister-in-law Lois Upton (Dean). A memorial service will be held at 11:00am, on April 29th, at First Presbyterian Church, 659 State Street, Holland. A light lunch will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be given to Geneva Presbyterian Church in Canton, MI or First Presbyterian Church of Holland, or the charity of your choice.