My father passed away last week.
Dad was a great guy and was so many things to so many people.
The photo to the right was taken on our back porch this summer as Dad met his great-grandson, Case Andrew Richards. As you can tell, he was so very proud and the photo is among, if not, my favorite of my Dad.
In his profession, Dad designed safety programs, accident prediction formulas, and invented and implemented the national grade crossing inventory. His research and scientific approach led the efforts that reduced fatalities at rail/highway intersections from an average of 1,100 per year to well under 400 per year. Next time you are sitting at an intersection waiting for the train to go by, look for the number board on the pole of the warning device. That is one of his creations. He had so many others.
He was a combat Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War. A former Marine Drill Instructor. A member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A & M. A Captain in the Air Force Reserves. A preacher's son. A husband for 55 years. A father for 53 years. A grandfather for 29 years. A great grandfather for seven months. He and Mom opened their home to 11 young Aggies who needed a place to stay, or a safe place to get their life back together. He taught Sunday School, coached Little League, won a school board seat, adopted Highway stretches to clean up in Texas and Colorado. He built barns, fish ponds, bridges across stock tanks, a small railroad museum, and many other projects with his family and friends.
I have not had time to sort through a lot of things but I do know that I am very proud to be his son and hope just a little of Dad has rubbed off on me and mine.
I very much appreciate the love and support, kind words and tears that have already been expressed from my friends, family, co-workers and business contacts.
