John F. Richardson Obituary
Orange, Colorado, United States
April 01, 1930 - January 20, 2017
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John F. Richardson Obituary
Apr 01, 1930 - Jan 20, 2017
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John F. "Jack" RichardsonJohn F. (Jack) Richardson died at peace and surrounded in love on January 19, 2017. He was born on March 31, 1930, in Orange, NJ, to John Francis Richardson and Gertrude Hammond Richardson. He grew up in the small industrial town of Garwood, NJ. Jack enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. While earning academic honors at the Finance School at Lowery AFB, he developed an alias so he could play centerfield for three different softball teams. Baseball was a life-long love for Jack. Over the years he was a devoted fan of the Saint Louis Cardinals, the New York Yankees, and the Colorado Rockies, as well as his grandson Matt Parish's promising career as a pitcher. Eventually, Jack volunteered into the Army as an officer candidate. He went through Leadership School and served as a platoon sergeant until he was sent to Fort Benning, GA, for infantry officer training. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant and assigned to serve as a military advisor and instructor where he remained until he received his discharge and returned home to New Jersey and Upsala College. While at Upsala, Jack was captivated by a young woman who was studying to be an elementary school teacher at a college a thousand miles away. He didn't hesitate to begin a series of brilliant strategic and tactical moves that led ultimately to June Elizabeth Nichols becoming Mrs. Jack Richardson on March 24, 1956. June was the perfect wife for Jack. She brought love, joy, warmth, companionship, excitement, courage, laughter, common sense, patience, faith, music, and beauty into his life for over 60 years. Jack and June have been the parents of four children: John F. Richardson, III, who died in early childhood of acute leukemia; Peter Richardson; Elisabeth (Bonnie) Hicks; and Cathy Richardson. They have added to the family two sons-in-law and six grandchildren. Jack and June love and are proud of each one. Jack achieved more than the beginnings of a family at Upsala. He majored in economics and minored in English, graduated with a BS Degree with high honors, and was one of two of the school's first Honors Scholarship Program graduates. The Honors Program introduced him to many of the joys of research - and did a great deal to lead him onto his ultimate career path of market research and strategic planning. Jack held responsible positions in several leading companies including Bristol-Myers, American Cyanamid, Peters/Richardson Marketing Research, and the Warner-Lambert Company. He also contributed in many ways to organizations close to his heart including the American Marketing Association, Foothills
Rotary Club, and First Presbyterian Church, Fort Collins, and First United Methodist Church, Fort Collins. One of his most satisfying contributions was the formation of the Jack and June Richardson Honors Scholarship at Colorado State University, which was inspired by his experience at Upsala. Jack loved his family, church, work, country, dreaming of the future, baseball, travel, reading, Shakespeare, building and leading successful teams and organizations, and enthusiastic young people. He also enjoyed lively conversations, following current events, attending the theater, sea stories, history, ice cream, mountains, Fort Collins, and beautiful music. He lived a long, productive, and happy life here on earth and died looking forward to the place, work, and reunions God has been preparing for him. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, son Johnny, brother Alan Richardson and brothers-in-law Robert Nichols and Henry Bartnick. He is survived by his wife, June, in Fort Collins, CO, his son Peter Richardson in Denver, CO, his daughter Elisabeth Hicks (James) in Bernardsville, NJ, his daughter Cathy Richardson (Seth Sandstrum) in Greeley, CO, his beloved grandchildren, Virginia Hicks, Matthew Parish, Daniel John Parish, Jackson Sandstrum, Tanner Sandstrum, and Ryder Sandstrum, his sister-in-law Janice Nichols and friend Patricia Lord in Buffalo, NY, his sister-in-law Margaret Bartnick in Sebring, FL, his brother-in-law G. Bruce Nichols (Gertrude) in Pompano Beach, FL, his sister-in-law Carolyn Nichols in Maui, HI, his sister-in-law Ellen Richardson in Elizabethton, TN, and dear friends and associates. A private family graveside service was held. Family, friends, associates, and complete strangers will be welcome to attend a memorial celebration of his life that will be held this spring. Memorial contributions can be made to The Colorado State University Foundation, 410 University Services Center, Fort Collins, CO 80523, marked for The Jack and June Richardson Honors Scholarship. Family and friends may visit Jack's Memorial Tribute at
www.allnutt.com and leave a message of condolence for the family.
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