Dean John Richards

Disease. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rita Ann Richards; their 5 children: Michelle

(Andy) Barclay, Mark (Cynthia) Richards, Jeff (Aimie O’neill), Julianne, & Jennifer; & 4

grandchildren: Hannah Lea Richards, Sam George Barclay, Kate O’neill Richards & Clara

Gushee Richards; and many nieces & nephews.

Dean was born to Vincent & Clairemont Richards on March 18, 1934, in New York City. After

growing up in NY area, Dean went on to College & graduated from the University of Notre Dame

in 1957. He started a career fundraising for Catholic churches & schools throughout the Eastern

third of the U.S., & then switched to teaching in Toledo, Ohio, in the early 1960’s. It was there

where he met Rita Ann Fisher, and they were married there in 1963. In 1965, Dean went into

the private sector, where he was active in teaching, public speaking, & production of various

events extolling the virtues of the United States.

From 1970 all the way to retirement, he worked with Insurance companies in Toledo, Ohio,

Chattanooga, TN, & finally, Nashville, TN. He spent the final decade of his career travelling

throughout the southeast, installing & upgrading agency offices with Apple computers. After

retirement, Dean volunteered at St Thomas Hospital as a Eucharistic minister until he was

diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006. He spent the final three years of his life at West

Meade Place, a nursing home right next to St Henry church off of Harding Pike.

The family would like to thank the staff at West Meade Place who cared for Dean, from the

Activity DIrector to Physical therapy, to all the doctors, nurses & assistants on the 3rd floor.

Many thanks to the St Henry Eucharistic ministry program; they visited with him daily, including

his final days at St. Thomas Hospital. The support & care provided by numerous priests & lay

people from the Diocese of Nashville, as well as the doctors & nurses in the ER and the critical

care unit at St Thomas Hospital, was above & beyond all our hopes and expectations.

The memorial mass for Dean Richards will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at 10 am at St

Henry Church. It will be preceded by a Rosary at 9:30 am. Immediately following the service, he

will be laid to rest at Harpeth Hills. The family declines flowers or gifts, but all prayers and/or

Masses said for Dean & family are much appreciated.