Robert Richardson

Bluefield, WV - Robert McClaugherty Richardson 92 of Bluefield, WV died Monday October 19, 2009. He was born on July 1, 1917 in Bluefield, West Virginia, the son of George Richardson, Jr. and Ruth McClaugherty Richardson. He attended public schools in Bluefield, and graduated in 1934 from Beaver High School. He received an A.B. degree in 1938 from Hampden-Sydney College, and an LL.B. degree in 1941 from the University of Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia State Bar Association and the West Virginia State Bar Association. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. He served as an engineering officer on the U.S.S. Tappahannock, an oil tanker, in the South Pacific until August of 1945. He received an Honorable Discharge in December of 1945 with a rank of Lieutenant Commander. He returned to Bluefield and re-entered the practice of law with the firm of Richardson & Kemper. He remained with that firm and its successors until his retirement. During that time, he served as assistant prosecuting attorney of Mercer County from 1949 to 1952, as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1952 to1957 and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and as President of the West Virginia Bar Association. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Bluefield, West Virginia, where he served as Sunday School teacher, member of the Vestry, Key Man, and Sunday School Superintendent. He was a member of the Bluefield, West Virginia Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and President. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Bluefield Supply Company, Sovereign Coal Group, Bluefield Rescue Squad, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Hampden-Sydney College. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Richards Richardson, and his brother, George Richardson, III. He is survived by his sister, Alice Sue Hoffman of Charlotte Court House, Virginia, his children, Robert M. Richardson, Jr. (Pat Edge) of Athens, West Virginia, Elizabeth Richardson of Santa Monica, California, Katharine Richardson of Charlottesville, Virginia, Peter Richardson (Patricia) of Bluefield, West Virginia, William Richardson (Melody) of Roanoke, Virginia, and Joseph Richardson (Jenny) of Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and twelve grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday October 24, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 200 Duhring Street, Bluefield, West Virginia with Fr. Michael Snider officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Building Endowment Fund of Christ Episcopal Church. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the Richardson family.

Robert Richardson

July 1, 1917 - October 19, 2009