Richard Evans Younger

Obituary

Richard Evans Younger, 80, of Fort Myers, passed away Sunday, January 13, 2008 at Hope Hospice House of Fort Myers, in the company of his family.

Richard was born November 24, 1927 in Marshall, MO to Adolf Woodson and Lucille (Evans) Younger. He served his country during WWII as a U.S. Navy Diver, attended Missouri Valley College and studied at the Kansas City Art Institute. Later in life, he was granted an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Missouri Valley College. Richard has been a resident of Fort Myers since the 1950's. He was an internationally renowned wildlife artist. A noted painter and a sculptor, Richard's favorite subjects were wildlife and endangered species. He started painting endangered species in the 1960's, which included publications in wildlife magazines and periodicals, encyclopedias, widely circulated prints, etc. Richard loved to hunt and fish and he regarded himself as a naturalist and a great lover and observer of nature's treasures.

Survivors include his four children, Steven K. (Colleen) Younger of Fort Myers, Richard Evans (Maureen) Younger, II, of Fort Myers, John R. (Deborah) of Charlottesville, VA, and Laura (Reed) Herndon of Fort Myers, his grandchildren, Steven, Tamara, Leslie, Hayley, McKenzie, Evan, Michelle, Kylie, and Julie, and his great-grandsons, Mark, Bryce, and Caleb. Richard is preceded in death by his loving wife, Ellen, who passed away in 2005, and his 2 brothers, Robert and Perry.

A memorial service will be held in Richard's honor Friday, January 18th, 4:00 pm, at Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Home, 1600 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.