Robert D. Richmond

A service of remembrance will be held in the Sanctuary of Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 13th and Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri, at 2:00 on Monday, May 5th. Committal in the Cathedral’s Memorial Garden, and a reception in the Cloister, weather permitting, will follow.

Bob grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended Pershing Elementary School, graduated from Southeast High School and received his undergraduate degree from Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg (now the University of Central Missouri). At CMSC, he joined the Epsilon Phi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, which remained an important and ongoing connection for him. In the summer of 1961 he studied Modern Poetry at Oxford University, and at the end of the course, his Oxford tutor gave this evaluation: “Mr. Richmond is a highly agreeable, keen and friendly young man. I have never had a pupil whom it was a greater pleasure to teach. . . . This is a really good man.” He earned a Master of Arts degree in Education in the spring of 1964 from the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Bob joined the United States Army in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1957 as a Specialist Third Class M-33 Radar Operator.

Mr. Richmond, as he was known to his students at Paseo High School (1957 to 1967) and the Metropolitan Junior College in Kansas City (1967 to 1995), was an extraordinarily creative, effective teacher. The projects he invented to prepare students for study of a work of poetry or fiction were remarkably original. His wry sense of humor was also a component of his teaching. He cared for and respected his students and expected them to be worthy of that care and respect. Even students who didn’t have him as a classroom teacher will remember him fondly as the creator and director of Broadway-style productions he wrote and presented for student and public entertainment in benefit of Paseo. These shows brought out musical and dramatic talents that some students had no idea they possessed.

Bob found friends wherever he went, and he went many places. Traveling to foreign countries on the Queen Mary II and other Cunard vessels was his principal pastime in retirement, and he thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. A particularly favorite port of call was Hong Kong, where he would order bespoke suits and find beautiful jade. He believed wholeheartedly in the value of travel and the way it can open minds.

Many of Bob’s fast friendships were forged at Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where he was a member for sixty years. Indeed, his Cathedral friends were as meaningful to him as was his faith. He was among the first group of adult servers at the Cathedral, and it was inspiring to see him proudly leading the procession as services began.

Bob was a great citizen, neighbor, and friend. He easily made life-long connections, and accepted people as they are. He had friends all over the world, especially his dear Italian friend, Grazia Borroni, who was an exchange student at Paseo during the 1963-64 term. Whether holding court and regaling his fellow passengers aboard his beloved Cunard cruise ships, entertaining and amusing his many friends, dining in style, attending operas, symphonies, theater or Broadway shows, both here and abroad, he was a model for how to live a civilized and enriched life.

During his last weeks, in care at Centerpointe, Bob took pleasure in watching the birds outside his window, enjoying flowers and treats that were brought, visiting with friends who stopped in faithfully and reading cards sent by well wishers. Thanks to the staff for their kind, attentive care throughout his final days.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Fred H. Richmond and Nancy Nadine Wood Richmond; his stepmother, Lura Stockton Holford Richmond; his stepsister Johnnie Elizabeth Holford Lott; the aunts who helped raise him following the death of his mother; and by his older brothers, Wood Herod Richmond and Byron Garrison Richmond. He is survived by extended family including his cousin, David Willig (Lisa), Overland Park, as well as the many former students and friends who cherished and delighted in his enduring friendship.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Homeless Outreach Program at Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 415 W. 13th St., Kansas City MO 64105.