Br. Michael Joseph Richards SJ

Br. Mike Richards, SJ, died August 22, 2015 at the Regis Jesuit Community in Spokane, WA. He was 75. A talented mechanic and maintenance man, Br. Richards was a model of service to others and a man deeply committed to his faith.

The oldest of ten, Michael Joseph Richards was born on September 3, 1939, in Spokane to Homer and Augusta (Lasz) Richards. He grew up in Spokane and graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory in 1958. Mike’s father died suddenly during his junior year of high school leaving his mother with ten children to raise; Mike was able to assist his family and finish high school through much hard work and determination. Heeding his dad’s advice Mike enlisted in the U.S. Navy (through a special program) while still in his junior year of high school. He proudly served from 1958 to 1961 aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard; his main duty was refueling airplanes. Following his active duty Mike entered the Jesuit Novitiate for Brothers at Florissant, MO, in March, 1961, to begin his spiritual and vocational training. Br. Mike took first vows there in September 1963 and began a long and fruitful life of service to the Jesuits, the Church, and to his neighbor in need.

Putting his natural talents and eager hands to work Br. Mike returned to Spokane in 1963 to maintain the buildings and grounds at Mt. St. Michaels; he helped fix furnaces, stopped water leaks, mowed the grass, and kept the many cars and trucks they had on the road. In 1971 he moved to Portland and the Loyola Renewal Center and plied these same skills; six years later he enrolled in a two year accounting program at Portland Community College. From 1980 to 1990 Br. Mike was the plant and vehicle person for Jesuit High School in Portland, OR. Following a renewal year at Gonzaga University he worked at St. Aloysius Parish in both maintenance and pastoral care. In 1995 Br. Mike moved to Tacoma and worked ten years at St. Leo’s Food Connection; this allowed him much interaction with the poor and marginalized of western Washington for which he was grateful. The final ten years of his life and ministry was in Spokane at the Regis Community as a maintenance man and assistant to the religious superior.

An avid outdoorsman Br. Richards could be seen jogging, walking or biking for physical fitness and personal enjoyment wherever he was stationed. Another deep love was singing; he participated in choirs at his local church, lead singing for his religious community, and he was part of the “Senior Serenaders” of Spokane. The cancer that was in remission for five years reappeared the past year and spread throughout his body; while getting weaker physically he stayed strong spiritually.

Br. Richards is survived by three sisters: Frances (Brad) Haywood, Karen (Roger) DeShaw, and Cathy (Steve) Rickerson; and five brothers: Ray (Kyong-Suk), Dave (Sandee), Jerry (Ellie), Larry (Carol) and Tim (Peggy). He was preceded in death by his brother Jim. There are numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins as well. He will be deeply missed by his many friends, colleagues, and brother Jesuits of the Oregon Province.

A vigil service will be held Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at 7:00pm in the Jesuit House Chapel on the campus of Gonzaga University. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00pm, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, in the same chapel. The inurnment will occur 1:30pm, Sunday, Sept. 6, at Mt. St. Michaels Cemetery. Contributions in honor of Br. Richards may be sent to: The Aged / Infirmed Jesuit Trust Fund, c/o The Oregon Province, Society of Jesus, PO Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.