Bradley Moore Richardson

1928 - 2015

Richardson Bradley Moore Richardson, of Upper Arlington, passed away January 16, 2015. Brad was born September 6, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio, grew up in West Jefferson, Ohio and attended West High. He was always grateful to his high school teachers who pushed him to achieve. He received an academic scholarship to Harvard University for his undergraduate studies, where he became a member of the Hasty Pudding Club. He moved to NYC to attend Columbia University for his Master's degree. He served as Lieutenant JG in the US Navy in Korea and Japan during the Korean War until 1954, and met his wife of 57 years in Japan, skiing at the Nikko Kanko Hotel, which her father managed as R & R for US officers. On their return to the states, he earned his PhD at UC Berkeley. He was then offered a job near home - from 1965 to 2002 he was a Professor of Japanese Studies and Political Science at The Ohio State University (OSU). His passion for Japan-Ohio relations led him in 1985 to found and be founding Director of the Institute for Japanese Studies at OSU, later home to JASCO. In 1996 OSU granted him the Distinguished Scholar Award. From 1999 to 2004 he served as Honorary Consul General of Japan in Columbus, and in 2003 he was recognized by Governor Bob Taft as a leading scholar in Japanese politics, as well as leading academician in Japanese culture and business. In 2004 he was honored to receive the Order of the Rising Sun from the Emperor of Japan. Brad enjoyed learning about other places and loved to travel; he and his wife were able to travel to four continents. Those who met him enjoyed his boyish sense of humor and good spirit. He was always interested in other people, wanting to learn more. Though a devout Buckeye fan, he loved to spend his summers at his favorite lakeside cabin in Michigan, always with his dog at his side. He is missed dearly by his current four-legged best friend, Sissie Bear, as well as all of his two-legged friends and family. He had so many stories and lived a full life. We are so grateful for the time we had with him; we all wanted more. Brad was preceded in death by his parents Harold "Pick" and Marjory Ann (Pence) Richardson. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Barbara (Shiba) Richardson; son, Paul (Rebecca) Richardson; daughter, Stephanie (Robert) Estice; grandchildren, Justin, Britney, Hana, Tine and Sasha; faithful companion, Sissie Bear; and many other extended family members and dear friends. Family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2015 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.