Richard STERN

1925 - 2016

STERN, Richard Richard I. Stern (91) passed peacefully of natural causes at his residence on June 29, 2016. Richard, the son of Rose and Harry Stern, was born in Hartford, Connecticut on January 14, 1925. Richard was a graduate of Bates College and served during World War II in the United States Army in the European Theater. After his service to our country, Richard worked in New York City for several years in the apparel business. Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Susan Greenwald, and they married in 1951. In the early 1950's, Richard and his father purchased Schneer's Jeweler's, a prominent jewelry store located in Atlanta, Georgia. Richard and Susan left their New England roots and relocated to Atlanta. During the middle 1950's Richard and Susan had three sons, Michael, Scott, and John. In the later 1950's, Richard opened a bowling center in East Point, Georgia. In the ensuing years, Richard continued to build and purchase bowling centers in the Southeast and Southwest, all operated under All American Bowling Corporation umbrella. He also opened a chain of restaurants, T.P. Crockmier's, all located in Alabama. During this time, all three sons joined him in the family business after graduating from college. In 1983, Richard and his sons, all stockholders in the business agreed to a buy-out of the chain by King Louie Enterprises, another bowling chain and apparel manufacturer based in Kansas City, Missouri. Richard and his sons agreed to work for the acquiring entity in return for stock in the corporation. Over the next seven years, under Richard's stewardship, the chain increased to 50 bowling centers, and the chain was sold in 1990 to AMF. Richard then joined his son John as elder statesman and advisor in John's business, Yogurt Ventures USA, operator of the Freshens brand. He continued in this capacity until shortly before his death. Richard had many interests. In the early 1970's, long before most people had even heard the word "jogging", he made frequent runs close to the runway at the Atlanta airport, near his offices. He owned a home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and enjoyed downhill skiing until well into his eighties. He was an avid reader, and would typically read several books a week. In 2004, at the urging of his friends and family, Richard published his book, Winning with the Velvet Touch, which expressed his philosophy of life about treating others as you would want to be treated. To his friends and employees, the velvet touch became synonymous with Richard himself. Many of Richard's friends considered him to be their best friend. He took a sincere interest in everyone he met, and he had a unique way to make one feel special. In 2014, on his 90th birthday, Richard was recognized by the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for his service to our country during the Second World War, an honor of which he was especially proud. Richard was engaged in many philanthropic endeavors, contributing to local and national charities on a regular basis. Richard is survived by Susan, his wife of 65 years, his three sons, Michael, Scott and John, his two grandchildren Lisa (Alex) Faye and Jennifer (Jordan) Adair, his great-grandchildren, Arden, Eli, Chase, and Zoe, and his brother and sister-in-law, James and Lee Greenwald. Sign online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Camp Twin Lakes (600 Means St NW # 110, Atlanta, GA 30318). A private family graveside will be held at Arlington Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, TODAY, Friday, July 1, 2016 at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. The family will receive guests at The Temple prior to the service. The family will not be sitting shiva. Arrangements by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta (770) 451-4999.