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BORN
1927
DIED
2017
Gilbert Richards Obituary
Gilbert Burdette Richards, Jr. died Saturday, April 1, 2017, at his home at Ocean Reef on Key Largo, Florida surrounded by family and his dearly loved dogs. The cause was complications of COPD. Gil was born in Waycross, Georgia, in 1927 to Gilbert Richards, Sr., and Helen Harris White. He lived throughout the South and Midwest in his childhood and graduated from Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Missouri in 1945. Gil enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1946, where he served in Aberdeen, Maryland and Tokyo, Japan, before returning to Harvard College to study Economics and play varsity baseball as a third baseman. He graduated in 1950 and went on to graduate from Harvard Business School in 1952. Gil's first job was on Wall Street working for a leveraged buyout firm, G.L. Ohrstrom & Company. In 1955 he was sent to Cincinnati to manage a newly acquired valve manufacturing product line, and by 1961, Gil and his father, Gil Sr., decided to purchase the company from Ohrstrom. Thus began his life's work building Richards Industries until his retirement and sale of the company to his esteemed employees in 2007. During his 50+ years in Cincinnati, Gil supported many organizations and events, including the Cincinnati Country Day School, Ault Park, the May Festival and communities of Oakley and Hyde Park. Gil's interests included flying his sea plane, daily tennis and exercise, collecting coffee mugs from his world travels and giving dogs treats. Most of all, Gil loved people. He was a friend to many and kind to all, always thoughtful and generous. Gil was loyal and faithful, and was a classic gentleman of the old school order. He was also curious; he loved to learn and strove to improve himself daily. His tireless work ethic, stamina, determination, honesty and integrity inspired those who knew him and many employess of Richards Industries. Gil will be remembered for one of his sayings: "I try to make at least one person happy every day". Gil is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Dryden Richards, as well as six children: Gilbert Richards III, Albert Zoller, Helen Richards (Kip Elser), John Zoller (Emily Weglian), Allison Richards (Scott Lisenbe) and Kirby Richards (Brian Ryder), in addition to nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Valerie Richards Ault. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Richards Industries, 3170 Wasson Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, we know Gil would appreciate donations to his favorite organization near Torch Lake, Michigan: With a Little Help From My Friends Pet Crisis Center, 3820 Ritt Road, Bellaire, Michigan, 49615; 231-533-4070; www.walhfmf.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gilbert Richards
John A. Nefzger
March 31, 2025
I don´t know if I have given my condolences before.Gil established a small facility in
Frenchburg Ky,which provided
employment for many years
in a poor county.I was County Attorney at the time.All I can say
is he was a great and caring man!I treasure his memory!
John A. Nefzger
September 14, 2022
As Menifee County Attorney,I got to know Gil when he put a Richards Industry facility in Frenchburg Ky.He was an outstanding gentleman and frien
God Bless his memory!
October 1, 2017
I learned of Mr. Richards' passing through an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer today (10/1/17) naming GIl as a Cincinnati Trailblazer.
I was a driver for Mr. RIchards at times and the education I got from from him each time was far more valuable than the actual wages I received. I was made to feel a member of the family whenever I had contact with Mr. Richards.
Favorite memory: I had to drive Gil and his family to Cleveland for a family function (christening?). On the return trip it took probably 8 hours to get back due to the weather. The family slept and Mr. Richards and I talked the whole way.Every time I saw Mr. Richards after that, he laughed about our adventure.
Every so often I would get a note or picture from him unexpectedly in the mail, and I would say to myself "You've got to call him!" I am so sorry that it is too late now.
To the Richards family, and the Richards Industry family, my deepest condolences. We have been blessed to know a great human being.
Bob Harris
(formerly of Carey Limousine)
May 23, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad always made me feel like part of the family. One of my dearest friends, his daughter Helen, introduced me years ago and I always thought of him as a 2nd Dad. He will be dearly missed but I am sure we will all meet again! Our loss but HEAVEN'S GAIN!
love prayers and hugs
Pearson / Elliott
Warren C. Weidman
May 10, 2017
I am very sorry to hear about his passing, I knew Gil for many years as pert of the control valve community and thru his ISA involvement He definitely will be missed . I remember when he invited the ISA 75 control valve committee, when we had a meeting in Cinn, to his house for drinks before going out to dinner.
Gil may you rest in peace.
April 30, 2017
I wish to add my condolences to the Richards family and add that I knew Gil for 20+ years meeting him at various trade shows, he always had time for chat. RIP Gil I will miss you.
Winston Wainwright
Jeffrey Green
April 9, 2017
Gil was very welcoming to us as new members of TLYCC 27 years ago and made us feel special ever since.We valued his interesting conversations with us.Our sincere condolences to the family.
Jeffrey and Donna Green
Bill and Margi Hardigg
April 7, 2017
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends.
Dave Beck
April 6, 2017
Heartfelt condolences to the Richards family, both blood and otherwise. I have generally fond memories of my dozen years working for The Valve Group... first job out of college, and not the seasoned sophisticate I are today. Gil was brilliant, for sure, but as illustrated by the "MR 110" personalized license plate he had on his Suburban when I knew him, his road to success was paved with grit and determination. I was often impressed with Gil's ability to manage the many balls he kept in the air, while rarely appearing stressed. He carried himself with dignity, inspired loyalty in the equally-dedicated folks who surrounded him, and he always seemed to have the back of a ragged envelope for note-taking... in shorthand.
A long and rich life, but still a shame he's gone. One less actor in the cast of "The Greatest Generation".
Godspeed, Mr. 110.
Ed and Carol Miller
April 6, 2017
We love Gil and Mary and will sorely miss our breakfasts at the Club with Gil each summer. Gil was a wonderful friend and made the world around him a better place. May all his skys be clear flying. Ed and Carol Miller
Barbara Manning
April 6, 2017
Sending sympathy and great affection to Mary and her family.
Sallie Foley
April 6, 2017
All those who know Gil from Torch Lake remember him with so much affection and love. Gil was tireless in his enthusiasm for people. He was at the very center of our community. He will remain in our hearts always and whenever a plane flies over Torch, we will think of Gil.
Ted Sentker
April 6, 2017
Lori and I were sad to hear of Gil's passing. He was quite a man and was a true gentleman and a VERY successful business man. Our sincere condolences to the family. RIP dear friend.
April 5, 2017
My wife and I first became acquainted with Gill about 10-12 years ago. We met briefly at a Fluid Controls Institute (FCI) dinner. Needless to say, we were quite surprised and impressed when he greeted us by name the following year even though we had not yet donned our registration name tags! (What impressed us even more is that he pronounced our names perfectly, even though my wife's is somewhat unusual.) His obituary mentions that he loves people and that was very obvious to us the way he made us newcomers feel welcome. After having more time to interface with Gil in succeeding years as part of FCI and International Society of Automation (ISA), I realized that this was indeed part of his caring nature. He was always encouraging to our efforts at FCI and ISA and chimed in on standards issues well beyond any obligation to do so. Many of us at FCI have good memories of the time Gil welcomed our group into his beautiful Florida home for refreshments! We want to express our sincere sympathy to his loved ones and, of course, the extended Richards family. May you be comforted by many fond and lasting memories of Gil. Warmest regards, Ron and Julaine Duimstra (member of FCI and ISA, and Ron is employed by Emerson/Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, IA)
Ron and Julaine Duimstra
April 5, 2017
My wife and I first became acquainted with Gill about 10-12 years ago. We met briefly at a Fluid Controls Institute (FCI) dinner. Needless to say, we were quite surprised and impressed when he greeted us by name the following year even though we had not yet donned our registration name tags! (What impressed us even more is that he pronounced our names perfectly, even though my wife's is somewhat unusual.) His obituary mentions that he loves people and that was very obvious to us the way he made us newcomers feel welcome. After having more time to interface with Gil in succeeding years as part of FCI and International Society of Automation (ISA), I realized that this was indeed part of his caring nature. He was always encouraging to our efforts at FCI and ISA and chimed in on standards issues well beyond any obligation to do so. Many of us at FCI have good memories of the time Gil welcomed our group into his beautiful Florida home for refreshments! We want to express our sincere sympathy to his loved ones and, of course, the extended Richards family. May you be comforted by many fond and lasting memories of Gil. Warmest regards, Ron and Julaine Duimstra (member of FCI and ISA, and Ron is employed by Emerson/Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, IA)
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