Obituary for Robert “Bob” Richardson

Robert “Bob” Wayne Richardson

February 12, 1927 – December 18, 2020

Robert “Bob” Wayne Richardson of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Friday evening, December 18, 2020, in the Journey Home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, at the age of 93 years.

Robert “Bob” Wayne Richardson was born on February 12, 1927, in Blackwell to Leonard Eugene “Gene” and Viola (Varner) Richardson. He was the third of seven children. His family lived in Blackwell until 1937 when the moved to Clifty, Arkansas. They settled about two miles out of town in an old log house where they found copperhead snakes. The family farmed approximately eighty acres, raising and selling vegetables. Water was obtained from a spring in the canyon with a bucket on ropes. Bob and his brothers also cut and sold wood. Bob’s formal education ended with the eighth grade. At age fourteen or fifteen Bob left home, first moving to western Kansas where he worked during the wheat harvest, before traveling on to Washington state. In Washington he picked apples and worked for a short time for DuPont in Hanover, where the atomic bomb was manufactured. On Valentine’s Day in 1945, two days before Bob’s eighteenth birthday, his dad was killed when the taxi he was driving was struck by a train. Bob then joined the United States Army in 1945, serving in South Korea for seven months.

On July 3, 1947, he married Betty Forman in a ceremony held in Oklahoma City. Bob and Betty made their home in Blackwell for all their marriage except for a brief period (1953-1954) when they lived in Oklahoma City. The couple had two sons, Ron and Mark.

Bob worked for Acme Foundry from 1947-1972 and then at Electron until his retirement in 1987. In the 1950’s Bob also delivered oil to various locations including Blackwell and Kaw City. Following his retirement Bob and Betty enjoyed traveling and camping in Arizona and Arkansas with Bob’s brothers and sister. Their special retreat was located at Kaw City when Bob enjoyed taking care of. They loved being with their six grandchildren and attending their various activities. Bob and Betty were married for almost seventy years, with Betty passing away four days before their anniversary in 2017.

He is survived by a son, Ron and Janet Richardson of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma; a daughter-in-law, Janice Richardson of Newkirk; a sister, Sharon Byestewa of Parker, Arizona; six grandchildren, Amy Rice and husband Steve of Lenexa, Kansas, Emily Melchiori and husband Brian of Coffeyville, Kansas, Amber Ramos of Stillwell, Kansas, Ashly McDaniel and husband Rob of Tyro, Kansas, Cody Richardson and wife Amy of Arkansas City, Kansas, and Ty Richardson and wife Brandi of Wichita, Kansas; and fifteen great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; a son, Mark Richardson; and five brothers.

Services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 26th in the First Christian Church in Blackwell with Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Brian Melchiori, Steve Rice, Rob McDaniel, Cody Richardson, Ty Richardson, Alex Rice and Baylor Melchiori.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the First Christian Church in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.