Richard Lee Richards
June 28, 2016
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Service Details
Richard Lee Richards was born on July 31, 1952, to Lee Bolton Richards and Irene Klein Richards in Eldora, IA. He passed away on June 28, 2016, surrounded by his family in Des Moines, IA. His family lived in Webster City where he graduated from high school and began his love of performing in the theater and singing. He graduated from Augustana College (now University) in Sioux Falls, SD and went on to graduate from Drake University with a law degree in 1977. His career in the legal profession took him from the Iowa Attorney General's Office to the Polk County Prosecutors office, and from 1983 until his retirement at the end of October, 2015, to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. He loved the various aspects of the law he practiced as a public servant.
On August 26, 1978, he married Sylvia Versteeg in Sioux Falls, SD. Together they raised three children, Nicholas of Denver, CO, Paige of Toledo, OH, and Michael of Coralville, IA.
Richard was well known by his friends, co-workers, family, and the community for his booming voice, singing ability, and flair for the dramatic at home, in the courtroom, and on the stage.
Through the years he has performed in many productions at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, The Drama Workshop, Des Moines Metro Opera and Repertory Theater of Iowa. Outside of Iowa he had performed at The Nashville Opera, the Pensacola Opera and the Wamego Theater in Wamego, KS. He also shared his singing voice with the choirs and members of First Christian Church, St. John's Lutheran Church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and Temple B’nai Jeshurun.
Surviving him are his wife, Sylvia; and children, Nick (Kate), Paige (Eric) Albjerg, and Michael (Eliza Kelley); brother, Kevin and his wife, Dawn of LeMars, IA; his brother-in-law and his wife, Maurice and Vickie Versteeg of Sioux Falls, SD; five nephews, Todd (Marci) and Lynn (Becky) Versteeg, Ian (Christa), Colin, and Evan Richards; niece, Shari (Chad) VanderWoude; and a host of cousins, extended family and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Irene Richards; a still-born son, William; and his father and mother-in-law, Marion and Henrietta Versteeg.
A special thank you to Dr. Tom Buroker, his staff, and the staff of Powell 3.
Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, First Christian Church, or Repertory Theater of Iowa. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 1, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines and the memorial service on Saturday, July 2, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 600 6th Avenue in Des Moines.
Peggy Golden-George
02/13/2017
Sylvia and family: I did not learn of Rich's passing unitl today, Feb. 13, 2017. I was so sorry to hear. I did a lot of singing with Rich when we were both active at St. Paul's. I will always remember a funny moment when he was sitting out in the church while we ran a song of mine in "To Whom it May Concern." I sometimes tilt my head when singing, though I don't mean to, and Rich was out in the audience moving his head the other way, reminding me not to! I will always remember , too, the way he always showed his love for his family and his support and concern for Sylvia..He will be missed! My condolences to you all. Peggy Golden-George
Linda Junkins
07/28/2016
Dear Sylvia and family, I'm so sorry to hear of Richard's passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Larry G. Jansen
07/07/2016
Family of Richard Lee Richards: Just read the obituary of Richard Richards with deepest sympathy. Richard was a student of mine when he attended Webster City Junior High, eighth grade U.S. History. Remember Richard well both for his sense of humor but more importantly for his excellence in U.S. History. He received from me the DAR History Award upon completion of eighth grade for his excellent academic work. All the best.
Larry G. Jansen
Eighth Grade U.S. History teacher
Jo berry
07/02/2016
It was a beautiful service for a beautiful guy.
Craig and Marcia Derby
07/01/2016
Dear Sylvia and family, we were so sorry to hear of Rich's passing and know you have all been in our constant thoughts and prayers.
We have such fond memories of Rich and all of your family. Times at Lake Panorama, watching him on the stage and loving every minute of his performances. We loved him as Captain Hook and will always remember how he took the time to pose for pictures after the show with our kids, who were pretty young at the time. What a memory he gave them that night and the memories he gave to so many others who were lucky enough to see him on the stage.
I remember when Big Jim died and you both were at his service. We decided to roll his casket to his final resting place from the chapel and Rich was right there across from me helping to push it along and I said to him, "Rich we need to sing him home, what should we sing?" He thought for a brief moment and then started singing in his wonderful voice When the Saints Go Marching In. We all joined in and it was so perfect. Jim would of loved it knowing Rich was singing just for him.
Any and all will miss Rich. The twinkle in his eye and that devilish smile will be with us all forever.
Elaine Hites
07/01/2016
I am so sorry to hear of the death of Richard Richards. I really enjoyed singing with him with the Des Moines Choral Society for a number of years. He will be greatly missed! My sincere sympathy and prayers go out to all of the family of Richard. May God's comfort and peace be with you! You are in my prayers.
Mari Caligiuri
07/01/2016
So sorry to hear of Richards passing. I will keep you and your family in my heart and prayers. Such wonderful memories of our time together.
Artis Reis
07/01/2016
Rich was a popular guest speaker at some trial classes I taught at Drake Law School. My best memories of him were as Captain Hook and in Scrooge with Ted Reis, my late ex-husband, decades ago. Rest in peace, and condolences to the family.
Steve Newman
07/01/2016
Deeply saddened to hear of Rich's passing. I was blessed to share the bass section with Rich the last few years at both the Temple and FCC.
May the blessing of his memory bring comfort to all during this most difficult time
Rick and Nancy Alexander
07/01/2016
We were sad to hear of Richs passing, Sylvia, and sorry for the loss for his family and friends. The memories we have of living next door to you guys and sitting in our backyards talking about ourselves and life will always be with us. You and Rich were always easy to be around, and Rich was able to laugh or tell a good joke about himself. Like the time we got up early one morning and you guys were up early also. We could tell something had happened during the night. Rich was awakened by a bat in the bedroom. According to Richs side of the story, he was saving Sylvia from the bat. He got a butcher knife and a tennis racket out, while Sylvia hid under the covers. Rich knocked the bat out of the air and on the bed, and then finished it off with the butcher knife by impaling it through all of the bedding. From Sylvias prospective, she was pleased that the bat had meet its demise; however, it was the impaling of the bat through the bedding and all the blood that came with it that we were sure was a matter of a contentious debate.
It takes talent and a special person to be able to laugh at oneself and Rich had a lot of talent. I came home to grab a quick sandwich one day, and Rich was mowing his yard with a push mower. Above the noise of that mower, I could hear Rich singing and practicing his lines for a play. What a powerful voice he had. I remember the time we saw him in a play about Noahs flood. As he walked down the aisle singing and in full costume, the back of his gown came open. Who would have guessed that Noah wore BVDs. There is a poem that goes Since I could not wait for death, death kindly waited for me and in its carriage carried the two of us and immortality. Thanks for the memories, Rich.
Craig and Joanne Pollock / Sara and Matt Cochran /
06/30/2016
Sylvia: Word reached us today in Missouri of Rich's passing. We would also like to extend our sympathy to your family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. No doubt God has already given Rich a spot in his heavenly choir.
Melinda Leseney
06/30/2016
I can see him walking off the front of the stage singing in "I Do I Do", floating through Valley West Mall dressed as Captain Hook to promote "Peter Pan" and who wouldn't want him to sing Pap's song in Washington about now?
He was special and will be missed.
Diane Child
06/30/2016
My deepest sympathy.....a wonderful man will be missed.
Rob Dillard
06/30/2016
What a commanding, beautiful voice he had. One never tired of hearing it.
Denise Behling
06/30/2016
Nick, Kate, and Family:
Please accept my condolences on Richard's passing. Thinking of you.