I was in his school band at Wyanet, IL in the mid-late 50's.  I had a coronet at the time, but wanted a trumpet.  He sold me his beautiful "Super Olds" when I was in 6th or 7th grade.  It was with white, pink and yellow gold.  I strived to do that trumpet justice, and will never forget how he encouraged and helped me play it to my best.  I still have that trumpet and shall bring it out for and with fond rememberance of his patience and kindness for all the time he taught music in Wyanet.

In remembrance of Dad’s birthday I would like to follow up on what my sister wrote on celebrating Dad’s 80th birthday. It was a coincidence that just yesterday, the 30th of June, 2014, Dad’s birthday, I received a package in the mail of Dad’s original music compositions and transpositions that he wrote many years ago. It was a joyous occasion to open the package and see those pieces that were in Dad’s careful handwriting. In keeping with Sandra’s suggestion on how to celebrate, I played some of the music on my clarinet and John played his saxophone. I can’t think of a better way to remember Dad. Happy Birthday Dad.

June 30, 2014 was going to be Bob's 80th birthday. In true Sandra fashion, I asked him one year in advance what he wanted - a trip to Europe, 100 friends at a party, etc. I asked him to think about it and let me know. Bob, of course, followed up promptly. He wished one thing - to be with me, my Mom, his son-in-law, and our dogs and to have a nice dinner in Northern CA where we live. Such a simple request at the time - of course I obliged never knowing he would not be here tomorrow. I think of how much I've learned from my Dad. When I got home after he passed, I found myself in our local hardware store staring at a pack of sunflower seeds. It reminded me of being 8 years old and the row we planted together. I bought them and with my husband's help in our rocky, volcanic soil, planted them. Today, they are growing fast and furious. One is seven feet tall and looks toward heaven to see Dad. I also think about how much I am like him. He lived a purposeful life. When he made the least money and had the most challenge (Rockridge), he was the most fulfilled. My husband says that I took all his greatest strengths and that makes me proud. I live a life that provides value to those around me. If I can ask one thing of those who loved Bob, do something with purpose today on his birthday. Take out your tuba, trumpet, trombone or flute - play it with passion and share that with someone else. Adopt a pet from the pound. Take a risk. Do SOMETHING to respect the man who did something for you. And look up to heaven and know that the saints do come marching home.

A short tribute to RDR - aka 'the Bear' - whose influence on his

students extended far beyond mere music (and hall passes):

Most teachers only teach a subject or two - the man I knew as

MISTER Richardson (or 'Sir') taught Life Skills: hard work, solid

cooperation with others, how to march in a three-hour parade

behind elephants, how not to be disappointed or give up when

it got tough. Your uniform was hot and uncomfortable? So was

everyone else's - suck it up and march on! Want to make First

Chair? Don't gripe - practice, practice, practice!

Most of all, he excelled at finding what his students were really

capable of - not necessarily by the easiest route. He challenged

his bands to do more, and his students were the better for it. He

took great personal pride in what his students accomplished - a

truly humble man.

I recall Jill as a baby, Toni as 'exotic' (since she spoke Italian!), and

when the Richardsons bought their house in Edgington. [When I see

it from 192, it's still 'the Richardson's house'.] Oddly enough, my

business travel last week took me to Verona and Vicenza, though I

had forgotten the Richardsons lived there before coming to RHS. I'll

guess his stint as a DoDDS teacher is yet another example of his

commitment to others - bringing music to the children of US military

personnel in far-away places; not easy work by any means.

William Ellis - proud to have been a student of Mister Richardson.

If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you care for me, and how much I care for you,
and each time that you think of me I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready in heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for and so much yet to do.
it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for a while,
I'd say goodbye and hug you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realised that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things that I'd miss come tomorrow.
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you,
Today your life on earth is past but here it's starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last.
and since each day's the same, there's no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful, so trusting, so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.
And you have been forgiven and now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand and share my life with me?"

So if tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me, please know I'm in your heart.

-Written by David M. Romano, 1993

When the new JR High was built, the Bandroom was just one big room without separate rooms for the directors to use for offices and storage space....  
Being the Leader he was and the no tolerance for stupid BS kind of guy he was, he had the Band go out and sell Texas citrus, birthday calendars. and even do inventory at Zayre's department store to raise the necessary money to add on the extra rooms that were to be used for office and storage space..
And by God, that is just we did.. He said, to hell with the school district.. we'll do it ourselves... AND WE DID!!!
Now THAT was Leadership!!!!! He was the General Patton of Rockridge...
How blessed I am to have known such a great guy...

   
      

         

I loved Mr. Richardson like no other teacher I ever had.. He will ALWAYS be my favorite.. It's as if we had a destiny together..
That summer back in 1972 was a fateful one.. All the tuba players went out for football except one.. So, in order to balance the band, he asked me if I would
sit in on the tuba at least for a while.. I wound up staying with it and it helped me
win the Sousa in 1975.. It was a solid gold opportunity. And it helped me get into college as well....
But what I enjoyed the very most was working so closely with him as I learned how to play that thing.. He was very patient and I eventually got up to speed on it.. Towards the end, we even had some sort of chemistry going on.. We just clicked!!!
I loved him and he loved me.. It was an AWESOME experience.. Something I will always remember with great joy and quiet satisfaction.....
I LOVED HIM!!!!!  And I'm sorry to hear that such a great and awesome guy has passed.. We will meet again, I'm sure..
               

In honor of a wonderful man who touched the lives of so many young people with his gift of music.  "The Bear" will always be in their hearts.  God Bless all.