Reverend Robert Alan Richardson, 74, of Orleans formerly of Wareham passed away on Thursday May 28,2020.
On January 27, 1946, Robert A. Richardson made an epic debut at his family property in Orleans, Massachusetts during a giant blizzard. So powerful was the storm that the midwife barely made it to the house in time to welcome this extraordinary spirit into the world. Bob’s story began as it concluded, in his family home 74 brilliant years later on May 28, 2020 following a valiant fight against esophageal cancer.
Born to Charles F. and Dorothy (Hurd) Richardson, Bobby’s childhood was never short on adventure or hard work. He grew up running along the flats of Rock Harbor and Skaket Beach, building sand castles and fishing as much as possible. Bob loved his mother fiercely and he so admired his big sister, Joanne (Tramontana), laughing at holiday parties and sending lottery tickets to each other every birthday until Joanne’s passing last year. The bond that he shared with his big brother Wayne was one for the story books: countless hours were spent working on the family fishing boat, (Conquest), running through the (then undeveloped) fields of Orleans, camping on hunting trips in Maine, and getting into just enough trouble to keep their parents on their toes, both with a mischievous twinkle in their bright blue eyes.
Over the years, Bob held many titles and worked in several professions. Years of working for the family businesses in commercial fishing and licensed plumbing were peppered with tenures as a high school history teacher, a registered nurse, a solar panel installer, a world record setting cross country bicyclist, and finally, as a minister for the United Church of Christ – his true calling. The Reverend Robert A. Richardson adored a captive audience and never once “recycled” a sermon even after being called to a new church. He truly enjoyed the aspects of his ministry that did not necessarily fall on Sunday (though his family relentlessly teased him that he only worked one day a week): leading youth group, cooking eggs for Youth Street Reach breakfasts, visiting retirement homes and hospitals, the Blessing of the Fleet every summer in Orleans, and performing a multitude of life celebrations for family, friends, parishioners and sometimes strangers.
Bob’s proudest achievements in life were his children (Pamela Soderholm, Seth, Katie Carr, and Peter). He loved and admired each of his children immeasurably and shared unique and priceless bonds with all four. Among his gifts to them were his love for yard sales, cycling, binoculars, black and white horror movies, The Three Stooges, Christmas, ham salad and the ocean. But most importantly, his love for life, utter silliness and laughter were the gifts he joyfully passed along to his kids and to all six of his grandsons – Matt, Nick, George, Henry, Milo and Felix. Bob always said that grandfathers are little boys, just in ancient bodies and he embodied that concept to its fullest.
Bob’s love for his children came second only to the greatest love of his life, his best friend and wife of nearly 50 years, Carol (Sataline) Richardson. Their boundless love was one founded on a friendship and respect envied by most. Bob had an uncanny ability to find silver linings through all kinds of weather, even through a stage four cancer diagnosis and a pandemic. He embraced every moment he spent with Carol and looked upon darker times (“his & her” hip replacements, quadruple bypass surgery, foot surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and quarantine) as an opportunity to simply “be” together, just them. Bob Richardson’s happy place had no fixed spot on a map and could not be located on Google Earth because his happiest place was simply anywhere that Carol was. He took great comfort before his passing in knowing that all four of his children had found equal happiness in their marriages to Tom (Pammy), Hattie (Seth), Kevin (Katie) and Meredith (Peter).
Though this great man went by several names – Robert, Bob, Bobby, Reverend Richardson, Pastor Bob, The Egg Man, son, son-in-law, brother, uncle, husband, Dad, Grampa, Poppi – his family and friends know that he has found his reserved spot in heaven next to his mother, sister, father-in-law and multitude others who have been waiting to welcome him. Robert A. Richardson passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by his wife, brother, sons and daughters and their spouses following a week of hospice care there. His room was filled with love and laughter, albeit often through tears. He smiled in his sleep until his last moments. He loved truly and was so truly loved.
Memorial gifts may be made: Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center fund 234806 gastric/esophageal cancer research. www.massgeneral.org/donate
MGH development Office c/o Meagan Coons 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540 Boston, MA 02114 please make checks payable to: MGH Cancer Center gastric/esophageal cancer.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com
A private family committal service will be held in Orleans cemetery. A memorial service will be held a t a later date to be announced. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Wareham Village Funeral Home.
