Bernard Aubrey Richards Jr.

eldest of four children, Bernie was born March 4, 1939 in Akron, OH. He is survived by his wife,

Patricia Marie Richards (Petrone) the love of his life for the past 41 years. They would have

celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on September 22, 2019. Or, as Bernie liked to call it,

their contract renewal. Bernie, or “Bern-Dawg” as he came to be called by his entire extended

family, is also survived by his three daughters: Jennifer Sapka, Amanda Pharr, and Victoria

Richards and his sons-in-law, Michael Sapka and Shane Pharr. Bernie is also survived by his

six adored grandchildren: Caleb, Caden, Caroline, Carlisle, and Connelly Pharr and Evelina

Sapka. To his grandchildren he was lovingly known as “Pa” and, later on, “Pa-Dawg”. Bernie is

also survived by numerous brothers and sisters-in-law as well as nieces and nephews. He is

also survived by his sister Cathy (Bob Shupe) of Valley Center, CA and his brother John (Barb

Richards) of Tallmadge, OH. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard Aubrey

Richards and Catherine Dawson, and his brother, Tom Richards of Akron, OH.

Bernie made an impression on everyone he met due to his quick wit, massive intelligence, and

his kind heart. Family always came first with Bernie and he would go to any lengths to help

someone out of a jam even if it meant crossing state lines.Of course he would often give you a

little grief about it and probably wouldn’t let you forget it, but he was always there when you

needed him. Always.

Invariably curious, Bernie was always finding new interests to try out. No endeavor was

considered too out there, and he could accomplish pretty much anything he set his sights

thanks to his considerable intellect and daring nature. From attaining his FAA drone license to

collecting spears and harpoons from amazon.com, to creating children’s stories like his famous

“Amanda and the River Pirates,” being in Bernie’s life was always an incredible adventure. He

could turn a simple trip to the supermarket into a mission fighting Klingons aboard the Starship

Enterprise. He was a person who could turn the mundane into the extraordinary. Bernie was a

voracious reader and no topic was off limits. He was never without a book or his Kindle nearby

which probably sparked many of his wildly creative ideas. Friends and family won’t soon forget

his huge summer parties commemorating General Custer’s defeat at Little Big Horn complete

with food, interesting libations, such as Irish Potcheen, from around the world, and games for

adults and children alike. Bernie also had innate culinary talents and no one will forget his

amazing scalloped potatoes, the infamous candy island, succulent pork tenderloin, Italian

meatballs, and, of course, his famous chili, which was never the same recipe twice and always

had a secret ingredient. It was so much fun to taste test and try to guess each new secret

ingredient especially during college football season while rooting for his beloved Ohio State

Buckeyes.

Life with Bernie was always an adventurous journey and he will be sorely missed by his friends

and family. He had such an enormous personality and presence in so many lives that his friends

and family keenly feel his loss. All who knew him will always remember Bernie and his loving,

intrepid soul and take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace and finally free from pain.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association. To donate by phone please

call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or to donate in Bernie’s name go online to www2.heart.org