Theodore R. Richards ’61 died September 11, 2015, in Painted Post, New York.

(The following appeared in The Corning Leader on Sept. 20, 2015):

Reverend Theodore R. Richards, age 76, of Corning, NY, died Friday, September 11, 2015, at Absolut Care at Three Rivers in Painted Post, NY, from complications of over 20 years of poorly controlled diabetes, and dementia.

Ted was born on August 19, 1939, in Newburyport, MA, to Homer and Mildred (DeVeber) Richards. He was a graduate of Arlington High School, Arlington, MA, in 1957 and Bowdoin College, ME, in 1961. Ted served his country in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964. He graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary 1976.

Ted married Danna Glenn in August 1962. They had two daughters. Danna predeceased him in November 1970. He married Christina “Tina” Templeton on December 24, 1977.

Ted was Associate Pastor at the Horseheads United Methodist Church from 1976-1981, the Jordan UMC from 1981-1988, Corning Grace UMC from 1988-2001. He served the North-Central Annual Conference on the Board of Ordained Ministers for many years and was the Registrar for the Course of Study at Wesley Theological Seminary for lay people to become Ordained Ministers.
Ted retired from Grace United Methodist Church in Corning in 2001. Post retirement he served the First Presbyterian Church in Corning; United Church of Painted Post; Christ UMC (New Beginnings) Elmira; and Big Flats (Hillview) UMC.

Ted enjoyed his family being involved with their activities and their successes. As a long-time supporter of the Arts, he became a member of the Corning Area Community Concert Band. He volunteered for Corning Meals on Wheels, the Rockwell Museum, and Second Place East. He also helped Tina with the gardens and loved to distribute the extra vegetables to neighbors.

His survivors include his wife, Tina; four daughters: Cynthia (Greg) Masingill of Jamesville, NY, Heather Richards of Syracuse, Meg (Jay) Gallagher of Gloucester, MA, and Jessica Richards of Rensselaer, NY; two sons: Daniel Richards of Boston, MA, and Ben Richards of Ithaca, NY; three sisters: Carol (Don) Bannon of Las Vegas, NV, Elaine (Bill) Crusen of St. Peters, MO, and Della (Ed) Latta of Chocowinity, NC; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.