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James Richards Obituary
ITHACA - Dr. James R. Richards, DVM, director of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine's Feline Health Center and a nationally recognized expert in cat care, died April 24 at age 58 from injuries received in an April 22 motor vehicle accident.
At Cornell, Richards lectured on feline topics to classes in the Vet College. He was a past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and a nationally recognized authority on vaccination protocols for cats. He was also a member of Cornell Christian Faculty and Staff Forum.
He was the author of the "ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats," the consulting editor and co-author of "The Cornell Book of Cats," as well as editor-in-chief and columnist for "Cat Watch", the Vet College newsletter. Richards also appeared on network television, including CBC, CNN and Fox News.
Born July 19, 1948 in Richmond, IN, Richards earned a B.A. degree in Mathematics (1970) from Berea College and his DVM (1979) from Ohio State University. He joined the Cornell Vet College in 1991 as assistant director of the Feline Health Center and was named director in 1997.
He is survived by his mother; his wife, Anita Fox Richards; and two sons, Jesse and Seth. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at the Bethel Grove Bible Church, 1763 Slaterville Rd., Ithaca. Memorial donations may be made to the Cornell Feline Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Richards
Joyce Munschauer
May 1, 2007
Anita,
I didn't know Jim except from conversations with you. I wish I had known him. I learned a great deal about him from the speakers at his service at Bethel Grove. It was a wonderful service and a fitting memorial for Jim. He was truly a gift from God.
I will keep each of you in my prayers,
Joyce Munschauer-Ithaca, NY
Chuck & Jeanne Vogelgesang
April 29, 2007
Dear Auntie, Anita and sons,
We were so sorry to read about Jim. It was a shock when we saw it in our paper. We hope that you have a loving support of friends and family to help you at this time. We will keep you in our prayers.
Love, Chuck and Jeanne
Jan & Henry DeVries
April 28, 2007
Dear Anita, Jesse, & Seth,
We just got back from a trip and heard Deb A.'s message about Jim on our phone. We're in shock and pain, especially for you all. What wonderful friends you have been to us--we can't imagine Jim not being with you all in body every day. We know he is with the Lord, singing his heart out! He was the most awesome worship leader at BG. But we'll miss him so much here on earth. We'll be thinking of you and praying for strength as you go through each day, and especially today at his service at BG. Some words from a favorite worship song:
"And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!"
Much love and tears,
Henry, Jan, Edward, Sarah, Jill, & Emma DeVries
Laura Wade
April 27, 2007
Dear Anita, Marion, Seth & Jesse,
I was terribly saddened to hear about Jim's death and am so sorry about your incredible loss. Dr. Jim was one of my favorite professors while I was attending vet school (1993-1997) and became a good friend through our associations there and at Bethel Grove Church. I remember stopping by his office numerous times to get advice during a stressful or difficult day and he always had a word of encouragement. I remember fondly the times he would sing and play for special music at church and I was inspired by his talent and passion for God. I was so hoping to see Jim at my 10th year reunion this June at Cornell. I will miss seeing his monthly column in the Cat Watch as it always made me smile. I know God is very glad to have Jim come home with him, but it will be very hard for you to be without him. I was truly amazed that he died in the midst of two things he loved to do (motorcycles and cats). As senseless as it seems, it also is somehow just like Jim to care so much for his life's work that he extended it to try to avoid even killing one cat. Last night, while I was taking everything in, I pulled down my edition of the Cornell Book of Cats that I had Jim "autograph" for me (the second edition came out during my last semester). It will always be a special treasure on my shelf. His inscription to me in the book was "May the Lord continue to bless you in your life and work." God has granted Jim's wish and God has blessed me immensely (I am now a bird specialist). It is my prayer that the same will continue to all of you, even during this difficult time. Be comforted in knowing God accomplished a lot through Jim and his life blessed many people. You were fortunate to have known him the deepest.
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Joanne Bicknese, DVM
April 27, 2007
Dear Anita,
I am deeply saddened to learn of Jim's death. He was a good friend and colleague, and always had time for my questions. I so enjoyed working on many projects with him when I was at Merial and Pharmacia. So many people looked up to him for his counsel. Jim was such a great leader and the kitties in the world were also lucky that he was their advocate.
You and I met in Scotland at the feline viral disese symposium that Jim and I were attending. I know that this is a terrible loss for you and the boys. It is a terrible loss also for the college and the academic and feline community at large. I know that there are many people who are grieving over his untimely death.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Nancy McGowan
April 27, 2007
Dear Anita, Jesse and Seth,
We are deeply saddened by the death of your husband and father.
We also thank you for entrusting us with the care of Jim's mother, Marion. She keeps reminding us of what a sweet little boy Jim was and what a wonderful man he became.
All of the staff sends our love and prayers to you. God's peace be with you.
With sincere sympathy, All Your Friends at Oak Hill Manor
Marilyn Pettinga
April 27, 2007
Dear Mrs. Richards, Seth, & Jesse:
I knew Dr. Richards through working at the Vet College. He was a truly wonderful man and I enjoyed chatting with him on many occasions. The Cornell Vet College, the Ithaca community in general, and our feline friends will miss him terribly. Your loss is truly devastating; my thoughts and prayers are with you and Dr. Richards' mother. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely,
John and Marilyn Mullen
April 27, 2007
Dear Anita, Jesse, Seth, and Mrs. Richards:
Our hearts join with yours at this time. Scripture says "death where is your sting" unfortunatly we all will be feeling this sting for a while. Let's remember Jim in paradise and with us always.
Love, Marilyn
Kay Beth (Lipps) Swihart
April 26, 2007
Dear Mrs. Richards and Sons,
It was with great sorrow that I read of your husband & father's passing. Jim was a high school classmate of my brother, Daniel Lipps (Jefferson High School Class of 1966, New Paris, OH.) He will be remembered here at home as a really great friend & student and we are very proud of his academic accomplishments.
Please extend our condolences to Jim's mother, Marian, as she is also loved and missed by our little community. I am extremely thankful for her friendship with my mother, Kathryn Lipps, and for her convincing my mother to try a magnifying reader when she was first diagnosed with macular degeneration.
My family and I extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. May your hearts be comforted with wonderful memories. Jim will be greatly missed by many.
Diana LaMontain
April 26, 2007
Dear Mrs.Richards and family,
I was lucky enough to have been Dr.Richards custodian for two years and I got to know what a loving,caring,and trully dedicated doctor he was, because he so loved his work and his heart's desire was his family! I can't tell you how very, very sorry I am for your loss!
Joanna Trojnar
April 26, 2007
Dear Seth and Family,
There are no words that can express my sympathy. You have been in my thoughts and will continue to be in my prayers throughout this difficult time. I hope that all your wonderful family memories will help to ease the pain, and I hope that your strong sense of faith with guide you through this challenging time in your lives.
With Love,
Joanna Trojnar
Ruth GWYNNE DULLIEN
April 26, 2007
May God hold you and your boys in his arms now and forever . I send my deepest sympathy for this supreme loss.
Lovingly, Ruth Gwynne Dullien
Marian Parker
April 26, 2007
Dearest Anita, Jesse and Seth,
We are heartbroken to hear of Jim's death. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Jim's quiet, strong faith was inspiring. He was indeed an "oak of rigtheousness." Words fail, but our prayer for you is that the God of all comfort will be manifestly with you all in this hour and the peace surpassing all understanding will indeed guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
If we can be of any help to you in any way, please let us know.
Yours in Christ,
Ken, Marian, Meighan and Jessica Parker
Ilana Reisner
April 26, 2007
My deepest condolences to the Richards family. Jim was one of the kindest and most genuinely good people I've ever known. It was a pleasure to see him and get a quick hug whenever I found myself back at Cornell on occasion. He has helped so many people in so many ways, including me, when I was a graduate student. I'm very sorry for your loss - he will be missed.
Ruth Dutton
April 26, 2007
My sincere sympathies for your loss.
Renee Cornelius
April 26, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I will miss Dr Richard's wonderful smile and cheery "Hello" as I pass him in the halls of the Vet School! He has touched so many lives. His legacy will live on forever! May your memories bring you comfort. He is home with God now to continue his work.
Kathy Riordan
April 26, 2007
My condolences to the Richards' family. He was a true champion for cats and the people they owned. Our loss is Heaven's gain.
Sandra Mitchell
April 25, 2007
As a Cornell graduate, Dr. Richards has been a mentor and role model for my entire professional life. I don't know that even he knew how much he affected my life and how much I respected him.
Jim was a quiet but firm presence which you could feel in any room he entered. In meetings, no matter how heated or controversial, he was always a levelling force - bringing us back to what was best for the cats, for the profession, for what really mattered. Jim was in the truest form an unsung hero. In some way, shape, or form, Jim's work affected every person who has ever loved a cat, every veterinarian, and likely every cat in America. He did everything in a modest and cheerful manner - nothing was about him, it was about the cats. I never saw him approach any situation in an angry or impatient manner - rather always with the calm and patient approach any experienced clinician knows to use when approaching an excitable cat.
I'm sorry I didn't know Jim on a more personal level. I do know that there are no veterinary professionals I have ever known that better represent our profession than Dr. Richards. I am honored to have known him and worked under his leadership.
Please accept my sincerest sympathies on your loss. The veterinary profession has lost one of its' greatest members, and the world has lost a gentle and kind soul. Jim's work will continue - but it will never be the same without him. He will be sorely missed by all -- even those that could never directly thank him for all he has done.
I hope my Kaiser and Tammy, whom he gave me so much help with as a veterinary student, were waiting at the gates to greet him with tails held high and purrs at the ready.
Diane R. Eigner, V.M.D.
April 25, 2007
Dear Anita, Seth and Jesse,
I feel so privileged to have known Jim as a friend and as a colleague. My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead. Yes, we have lost an unbelievable advocate for our feline friends, but what we have truly lost is an amazing man.
Sending you my sincerest condolences,
Diane
Marty Turnbull
April 25, 2007
Dear Anita,
I am so sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your husband. Your friends in the Cornell Club tennis circle are thinking of you and are here for you if we can support you in any way this week or in the difficult months ahead.
Kim Thornton
April 25, 2007
I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss Dr. Richards' kindness and enthusiasm. Our world is diminished by his absence.
Nancy Marano
April 25, 2007
My condolences to Dr. Jim's family. His life touched many people and saved many cats. He will be sorely missed in the animal community, but I'm sure the purring that greeted him was thunderous.
M W
April 25, 2007
My thoughts and prayers go the the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. James Richards. I met Dr. Richards when my little black cat Cricky was being treated at Cornell for a FVAS. He always went out of his way to visit me while I waited for her treatment. Once when he and I were at the same restaurant, he came over to my table to ask how she was coming along. I knew how concerned he was about this terrible cancer and how hard he worked on finding a cause. The Feline Health Center is a great testament to his life's work. We will all miss him terribly.
Pamela Wilkins
April 25, 2007
I want to express my sincere condolences to Dr. Richards family. Jim was a wonderful person, with a great sense of humor and a passion for his cats.....Although my interactions with him were only work related, he has remained within my thoughts all these years since I left Ithaca. I still miss having coffee each morning with him in the old faculty lounge at Cornell and I treasured any chance meeting I had with him whenever I happened to be back in Ithaca for some function or another. Jim will be missed by many.
Sincerely
Pam Wilkins
University of Pennsylvnia, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA
Kari Winters
April 25, 2007
To the Richards' family,
Jim's death is a huge loss to the feline community and I can only imagine the hole his loss has left in your hearts. I hope you can find some level of comfort in knowing what an impact he made in the world and in the hearts of those who knew him.
Dr. InaNorma Yanez, CH.t
April 25, 2007
To the family and the departed soul of
Dr. James Robert Richards.... May you rest in God's nurture for eternal happiness. Thank you for all the good works and the kindness.
Dr. InaNorma Yanez, CH.t and Family.
We will put a tribute to your precious life on Norma's Ark Blog
Lea Filson
April 25, 2007
My sympathies to Dr. Jim's Family...he will be missed in the animal community. He was eloquent on my radio show several years ago. What a tremendous loss on so many levels.
With deep condolence,
Lea Filson
"Sinclair And Lea"
Beth Adelman
April 25, 2007
Like thousands of people whose lives Jim touched, you don't know me. But I am sure you do know how many people he changed for the better. Everyone who has met Jim has a story to tell about how kind and generous and inspiring he was. He treated everyone as a personal friend and a respected colleague. He worked endlessly for better feline health and care. He was a friend of everyone who was a friend of cats. I have no idea what we are going to do without him.
There are some people whose passing makes even the angels weep.
Amy Shojai
April 25, 2007
My sincere sympathy to all who knew and loved Jim--and there are surely too many to count. He made a positive difference for cats, and those who loved them.
Sarah Richards-Desai
April 25, 2007
Dear Mrs. Richards, Jesse, and Seth,
I am so sorry. When I think of Mr. Richards I hear his voice singing on Sunday and laughing. God bless, I'm praying for you. Numbers 6:24-26
Dan and Meagan Kish
April 25, 2007
Dear Seth and family,
We are so sorry for your loss and wish we could be there for you. We love you and we're praying for you.
Beth Campbell
April 25, 2007
I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Richards death. He was very nice to my son, Kyle, when he was completing his veterinary degree after his father's (Gordon Campbell, Assoc. Dean, Veterinary College) death. My heartfelt sympathies are with your family.
Carolynn Holtman
April 25, 2007
Dr. Richards was such a caring, caring man. I spoke to him several times regarding the acromegaly diagnosis in my cat, Fletcher. Dr. Richards had never met me, yet took the time to return my calls, point me in the direction of other valuable sources, and just generally commiserated with me at the ramifications of this diagnosis.
Thank you, Dr. Richards...on my behalf and for Fletcher
Annette Amos
April 25, 2007
From Annette, and furpets Rasputin and Pfeiffer in Sth Australia
Belinda Sauro
April 25, 2007
This is a great loss to the feline community. My condolences to his family, he is in a better place, I hope memories of him and all he contributed to this world, to help our animals companions help heal the great pain you feel now.
Belinda Sauro
happiness is being owned by cats ...
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