Bob RICHARDSON

1945 - 2017

RICHARDSON, Bob In many ways, Bob Richardson was bigger than life. His passion was evident in everything he did. Whether he was reporting the nightly news on KTBC television in Austin, building a successful law practice, serving constituents as State Representative for Travis County, starting an acting career or cheering on his beloved Texas Longhorns, Richardson's enthusiasm was contagious. Sadly, this force of nature passed away Monday, October 23, 2017, after a long illness. Richardson earned his B.A. degree in Political Science at Vanderbilt University and attended the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters at the University of Madrid, Spain. He received his law degree at the University of Texas, School of Law. He worked his way through law school as a reporter and anchor for the top rated news broadcast at KTBC TV/AM/FM in Austin. Along the way he developed lifelong friendships among other journalists, viewers and listeners who depended on his calm demeanor to make sense of the day's news. Richardson practiced law for more than 25 years, which included several years spent fighting to keep criminals off the streets as a prosecutor who won 95 percent of his trials. Richardson also served five terms on the Board of Directors for the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives (NOSSCR) and as the President of the Fifth Circuit Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (FOSSCR). As a Republican State Representative, serving in the 69th, 70th and 71st sessions, he amended the Texas Constitution to include a Crime Victim's Bill of Rights. "I've tried to kind of bring all of that history and all of that commitment with me to the law practice," Bob says. "We do not hesitate to take on a billion-dollar insurance company. We do that for our clients. We do that because it's the right thing. And we do that because that's the kind of thing we enjoy doing. We like representing real people." Bob was an active member of the civic and legal communities. He was a member of or contributor to nearly 40 civic and community organizations, including: AARP, Rotary Club of Austin (Paul Harris Fellow), University of Texas Longhorn Foundation, Feed the Children, Blue Santa (Austin Police), Austin Metropolitan Ministries, Young Men's Christian Association (member "Benefactor of Youth" 1998 and Gold Club Member 1998), Columbus Baptist Church, St. David's Episcopal Church, Salvation Army, SafePlace (spousal abuse assistance), Austin Film Society, Austin Humane Society (member of Advisory Board), CARE, American Red Cross and various neighborhood associations. Bob was also a member of numerous law organizations, including the American Association for Justice, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association, State Bar of Texas, Travis County Bar Association, National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representative (NOSSCR), Fifth Circuit Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representative (FOSSCR), and State Bar College (recognizes outstanding participation in Continuing Legal Education). He was a former Outstanding Young Man of America and received commendations from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), University of Texas Faculty and Mental Health and Retardation staff for his legislative work. When others were thinking about retirement, Bob Richardson caught the "acting bug" and, as with all his other endeavors, he jumped in with feet! He landed roles in TV series as well as movies. He once said, "I get the character roles, probably because I'm such a character." Richardson is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 28 years, Kathy Richardson of Austin. Others include his nephew, Britt Pauls of Alpine; brother and sister-in-law Jim and Dolores Young of Austin, brother-in-law Art Young of Dallas, niece Jazmyn Lynch, husband Ryan Lynch and children Asher and Aubrey of Austin, along with nephew Chris Young of Austin. Visitation will be Thursday, October 26, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017, 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Texas State Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be sent to the Austin Humane Society. Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com