Robert Richardson

Mr. Robert Bob Jasper Richardson, 76, of Hillsboro died Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at Kindred Hospital in Fort Worth. He was born September 8, 1931 in Beloit, Kansas, to Emmett David and Florence Gladys Coad Richardson. Bob was raised in Cawker City, Kansas, and graduated from High School with the class of 1948. Bob enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 7, 1951, receiving basic training in Camp Pendleton, CA, and serving in Camp Lejeune, NC, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, and in Korea. He served in the Korean Conflict from March 22, 1952 to April 20, 1953 in the First Motor Transport Battalion, First Division of the USMC. He received his honorable discharge as a Sergeant on June 6, 1954. Bob married Norma Jean Olson on April 11, 1954 at Assaria Lutheran Church, Assaria, Kansas, and to this union were born three children, Heidi, Natasha and Steve. After Bob graduated with a BA degree in business from Kansas State University in May of 1957, he returned to Cawker City to Richardson Manufacturing Company, Inc., manufacturing conservation tillage equipment. He served as secretary and treasurer of the company with his brothers and sister. In later years he was business manager in charge of purchasing, accounting, sales, marketing and distribution. He and his brother, Raymond, sold the company in 1987 to Sunflower Manufacturing Company, now a part of AGCO. Bob was very active in farm equipment industry groups, serving as Treasurer and President of the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association and show sponsor of the 3i agricultural equipment show. He served on the Mitchell County Hospital Board for 16 years and as mayor of Cawker City for four years. Bob was a member of the American Legion, and the Marine Corps League. Since their move to Hillsboro in 1997 he has attended First Baptist Church, Hillsboro. Despite his battle with multiple sclerosis, he and Jean continued to be avid travelers to the very end. Survivors include his wife, Jean Richardson of Hillsboro, daughters Heidi Speasmaker and husband, John, of Round Rock, Texas, and Natasha Sawyer and husband, John, of Hillsboro, son Steve Richardson of Cawker City, Kansas, and grandchildren Alex and Elizabeth Speasmaker of Round Rock and Walker and Allison Sawyer of Hillsboro. Memorials may be made to: Marine Corps League, Heart of Texas DET 975, P.O. Box 7323, Waco Texas 76714-7323; First Baptist Church of Hillsboro, P. O. Box 271, Hillsboro, TX 76645; and the Cawker City United Methodist Church.