Paul Edward Richards

1963 - 2025

Paul Edward Richards

March 10, 1963 - February 26, 2025

Boise, Idaho - Paul Edward Richards, 61, passed away unexpectedly on February 26, 2025.

Paul was born on March 10, 1963, to the late Arthur Richards and Theresa Richards in Hailey, Idaho. Paul was so proud to be from Hailey, ID. After graduating from Wood River High School in 1981, he became a Vandal to pursue Engineering at the University of Idaho. He graduated from U of I in 1985 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked most of his career in the semiconductor industry.

Paul was an accomplished athlete at Wood River High School, participating in football and track. He held the state record in the 300 IM Hurdles in the early 80's and was on the field during every play in each football game. Paul was an avid skier, learning to ski at Rotarun in Hailey and Baldy in Sun Valley. He passed his love of skiing to his daughters, Hailey and Hannah and he spent many weekends at Bogus Basin skiing with them.

Paul was especially passionate about aviation, building model airplanes as a child, flying remote control gliders as a teenager and making many memorable trips (34 to be exact) to the Reno Air Races with his great friends. He also had a special bond with his uncle, Joe Gilmore who is a retired Navy Aviator.

One of Paul's proudest and most recent accomplishments was walking his daughter, Hailey, down the aisle in August 2024.

Maybe because of his Irish heritage, Paul loved to tell stories. It didn't matter if it was family, friends or a random stranger at the grocery store. Paul was never without a story to tell or an experience to share, usually told with gusto (and his hands) and a lot of laughs. If Paul started a conversation with you, you had better have plenty of time. We will miss his storytelling.

Paul is survived by his partner in crime and loving wife, Lori Walston and his two daughters, Hailey (Tony) Vasquez and Hannah Richards, his two bonus daughters, Kasey (Wesley) Dixon, Lindsay Malm (Kelly Horsley) and two grandsons, Donovan and Theodore Dixon (he called them the grand-monsters). Forever loved and remembered by his siblings and their families; Sarah (Ken) Harris, Liz Richards, Tracy Echanove-Richards, John (Jennifer) Richards, Joe (Sue) Richards, Steve (Cathy) Richards, and Pete (Sandy) Richards.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Theresa Richards, his brother Tom Richards, his nephew Conor Richards, and his most cherished dog, Luke.

Funeral Service will be held Friday, March 28th, 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 1500 E. Wright St., Boise, ID. Reception following. A private scattering of his ashes will occur in the summer to return Paul to the places he loved.

The family asks that any memorial donations be made to Rotarun Ski Area in Hailey, Idaho (https://rotarun.org/donate/).