Don Richardson

Don Richardson "My Honey" June 13, 1934- January 9, 2006 Don Richardson, long-time Long Beach resident, died at the age of 71 on January 9 of complications from Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Dementia. Family services were held on Catalina Island, and a memorial will be held later this year in Long Beach. Don loved Long Beach and lived here most of his life. He was born June 13, 1934 at the old Seaside Hospital. He attended Southern California Military Academy, and was in the first graduating class of Huntington Beach High School. He attended Stanford University and graduated with a degree in economics. Don joined the family bus iness, Richardson Tire Company in Long Beach. Later he started his own company, Richardson Yacht Sales in Newport Beach, and then joined Paul Albrecht Yacht Sales. Don later moved to Long Beach Transit as the Community Relations Representative for ten years where he helped launch the Downtown Passport shuttles, and AquaBus and AquaLink water taxis. Don was active in many organizations in Long Beach: Rotary, the Long Beach Yacht Club and its Anglers, Southern California Tuna Club, the Tuna Club of Avalon, t he Chamber of Commerce, the Salvation Army Board of Directors, the Downtown "Y" Running Club, the Alamitos Heights Running Club and the Coalition to Fight Gill Netting, to name a few. His love of the outdoors and exercise kept him active fishing, biking, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, running, playing volleyball, handball and racket ball. He entered many triathlons and marathons, including the first ones held in Long Beach. Don married Betsy in 1965. Shortly thereafter, they moved to live on their yacht in the Long Beach Marina for five years. Later they settled in Alamitos Heights. Don moved to Hawaii with Betsy after he retired from Long Beach Transit in 2003, where they lived on the North Shore of Oahu. However, when he became progressively ill, he returned to Southern California for additional care before his death. Don is survived by his wife of 41 years, Betsy; daughters Sherry, Debbie, Donnel, Susan and Christina; 6 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild. Don was a beloved father who cherished his daug hters and greatly enjoyed spending time with them. At this time, Betsy may be contacted at P.O. Box 86, Haleiwa, HI 96712-0086. Donations in honor of Don may be made payable to: Brentwood Biomedical Research Institute, and mailed to W.W. Toutellotte, M.D., PhD. Neurology Research (127A), VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073. On the check memo line, write: In memory of Donald Richardson. On an attached note, write: This is an unrestricted donation to the Resource Center in memory of Donald Richardson.