David Neil Richardson Sr.

David Neil Richardson Sr. passed away on April 23 at the age of 86. Born in Washington, D.C., at Garfield Hospital, David spent his early years in the city that would shape his sense of duty and realism about the world. In 1970, he began his career as a police officer and later made his home in Arlington, Virginia, where he continued a life defined by service. A Marine, a police Detective, and a Federal Marshal, David’s calling was clear and consistent: to protect and serve.

He was not a man of grand speeches or abstract philosophy. Instead, he lived by a steady, disciplined code. He believed that order mattered, that character was built through self-control, and that being a good person was both a moral obligation and a practical necessity in a world that could, at times, feel unpredictable. His values were simple but unwavering: be a good neighbor, hold the door for others, tip generously, care for animals and the vulnerable, work hard, and say what you mean—preferably in as few words as possible.

To his family, David was both a source of strength and, in later years, a source of deep warmth and joy. Though he was a tough father when his sons Neil and Drew were young, time revealed the depth of his love. In the final chapter of his life, that love was expressed openly and often, bringing healing, understanding, and a sense of peace.