Paul E. Richards

Paul E. Richards Sacramento - Paul E. Richards

July 1953 - Feb 3, 2023

It is with a heavy heart that we announce Paul's passing on Friday, February 3, 2023. He was 69 years old.

Paul was born in Vineyard Haven, MA and later lived with his parents (Russ and Irene) in Columbus, OH - where he graduated from Licking Valley High School.

He worked as an EMT paramedic in Green Bay, WI and eventually traveled to San Jose, CA where he met and married Diane in 1977. They moved to St. Petersburg, FL where Paul earned a Computer Science degree and had a successful career working for Minute Maid Foods in Dunedin. In 1996, their son (Anthony Austin) was born, and the family moved across the country in 2000, towing their possessions behind his 1971 GMC Suburban, the "The Blue Ox".

Paul was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force and served as a medic in Vietnam for which he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his service. He was a marvelous musician and storyteller, and loved to entertain friends with his beautiful voice, guitar- and piano-playing. A true jack-of-all-trades, Paul was an able mechanic, computer technician, handyman, in addition to his bachelor's degrees in psychology and computer science.

Paul bravely endured chronic illness and many medical tribulations during his last years, but remained pithy and resilient to the end. He liked to say: "We can choose to feel good or bad about the things that happen to us."

Paul is survived by his wife, Diane; sons, Shane and Tony; grandchildren, Alexander Paul and Vanessa; great-grandson, Jasper; and brothers, Steven and Kevin. A celebration of life will be scheduled later in Sacramento. Paul's ashes will be scattered at sea near his favorite beach. Please contact Diane for more information.