Richard and Ruth at the dinner honoring the Washington University class of 1961. At the table were Jerry and Linda Kraus, Kent and Bonnie Lattig, and Barry and Marilyn Siegel, easily the best table in the house.

55th Reunion of the Washington U,. Class of 1961. Rich is caught with an unusal pose, a bottle of beer in his right hand.

Hard to believe that Rich has been gone for four years. One of the unusal things about our frindship with the Baileys is that we would unexpectedly in odd places. After all we lived in California and the Bailey's lived in Webster Groves. 

One rainy night when we were in St. Louis, we went out to dinner with Marilyn's family, and went to a restaurant that her (weird) cousin insisted upon which was in North St. Louis County.

Shortly after we were seated, the Bailey's arrived, and Rich headed for the men's room without seeing us. I excused myself and joined Richard in the men's room. A picture is said to be worth a thousnd words, and the look on Bailey's face was proof of that when sidled up to him and said hello. I miss my friend.

As a general rule, Marilyn and I made it a practice of getting together with Ruth and Rich whenever we visited St. Louis. There were two exceptions. 
The first was several years ago when we were in town to celebrate Marilyn’s father’s 100th birthday. We were very busy with the family, and one evening had met to dine at an Italian restaurant in north St. Louis county. The family had just been seated when the Bailey’s walked in, waiting to be seated themselves. I walked up, and I don’t know who was more surprised – Ruth or Richard. 
Four engineers with whom I worked at National Semiconductor and their wives have been getting together for years. Three couples were from St. Louis, and when the Cardinals were in town, we would all meet at Candlestick Park, or more recently at AT&T. Two couples would be attired in Giant’s Gold and Black, and the other three in Cardinal Red and White. A few years ago, we decided to take in a game in St. Louis, and I arranged to get ten tickets for the entire gang. At the last minute, the Carninalli’s daughter, Sherri, decided that she wanted to attend, so I ordered a ticket for her separately, but that obliged me to pick it up at the main ticket office. I bid the gang goodbye at the main entrance to Busch Stadium, and headed to the main box office. After getting the ticket, I entered the park. Who should walk by as I headed to our section? Rich Bailey who was as surprised to see me as I was to see him. What are the chances of that? I am not superstitious, but it seemed to me that it was confirmation of a bond that was created more than 50 years ago.  I deeply miss my brother, Rich. 


I had the pleasure to have worked with Rich at both IBM and Alliance Systems for nearly 30 years. He was the consumate professional. At Alliance, during lunch hour, Rich walked around Fenton and could cover many miles. Never went along because his legs were twice as long as mine.
Rich will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

It is with great sadness that we say a final goodbye to Rich. Sumith and I extend our deepest sympathy to Ruth, his wife of 50 plus years and their children, Mike, Sara, Laura and Martha. Rich loved the outdoors, hiking, biking, traveling the world and taking long walks. Sumith and I always looked forward to our get togethers to hear about his travels along with Ruth. Over the years we watched our families grow and we have such wonderful memories of him as a young father and then as he became a proud grandfather. He loved his family very much. Sumith and I will always remember him for his kindness, graciousness, his intellectual curiosity and as a true gentleman. Goodbye Rich.  We will miss your physical presence, but we  will always remember you in our hearts.

As mentioned to childhood friend Mike Bailey, my memories of his dad revolve around the St. Louis Blues.  He painted a huge perfect Blues logo on the wall in Mike's bedroom and took the two of us to a game at the Arena where the Blues made up a big deficit to tie the Sabres.  Everyone in attendance got a free hamburger from Jack-in-the-Box... Worth mentioning that he also took us to a college football game at Washington University - his alma mater.

Rich was an outstanding man.I worked with Rich at  IBM starting about 1966.He was known to be very intelligent and always willing to help others.When We started Alliance Systems in 1992 Rich was one of the first people we asked to join the new business. We were fortunate he agreed to join us.We worked together for many years before he retired. He will be greatly missed.
Condolence to Ruth and your Family
Bob and Fran Howard

I worked with Rich for many years at IBM.  He was always a fine gentleman who worked well with our clients and with the IBM team.    He was very knowledgeable regarding any technical issues that might arise in a client engagement.   IBM Marketing people, such as myself, were always delighted to have Rich working with us on client engagements ... as, more importantly, were the clients. 

Rich and I were fraternity brothers at Washington University.

I know that Rich was very proud of his fine family.

After we retired from IBM I recall seeing Rich walking around Clayton and University City.   I was a little surprised because I knew he lived in Webster Groves.  It was only later that I realized that he had walked  from Webster Groves.  Wow !!

Where do we begin, memories of  bridge games, weddings of Bailey children, reunion parties, retirement parties,  conversations about travels around the world, all the good times we have had through out the years, Labor Day parties, at our house, have all  have been rolling through my head these past few days. How our dogs always would find their way to Rich even though he didn't appreciate them! 
These and many more will be a part of our thoughts in the coming days as we celebrate Richard Bailey.
Love to all the family, MaryAnn and Ken Wallace



Uncle Rich took me to a Stanley Cup Game between the the Blues and Bruins. It is a game indelibly etched into my memory not only because I got to watch the incomparable Bobby Orr work his magic, but also because Uncle Rich was gracious to enough to share his knowledge of a fledgling sport that had just came onto the St. Louis sports scene.

Last June, I thought of uncle Rich when the Blues finally hoisted the Cup.

My condolences to aunt Ruth and Mike, Sara, Laura, and Martha.

Rich and I met as freshman electrical engineering students at Washington U. in the Fall of 1957. Rich is one of those guys who understand the arcane notions of Integral Calculus and and Quantum Mechanics, and then there others like me. I suspect that he was puzzled my inability to grasp subjects as easily as he did, but it never slowed him down when it came to lending a hand. As different as we were, it was a beginning of a life-long friendship based on our love of math and science, and convinced that any thing was possible after a couple of cold beers. I will miss my brother terribly.  

I well remember the many years during which Rich was a dedicated Fieldston Terrace Street President. I also remember his and Ruth’s regular attendance at the famous final four tent parties next door to them. I would also frequently spot Rich in many different locations walking many miles from home. I extend my condolences for his loss to Ruth and the entire family.
Larry Furrer


Our heartfelt condolences upon the loss of Rich.  We were so glad to have been able to share a trip with you to Switzerland in 2017.  This is a photo of Ruth and Rich at the Restaurant Brienzerburli in Brienz, and Rich has such a cute little, almost mischievous, smile here!

Rich and Ruth were on our 2017 Tour de Suisse! It was great getting to know them both, we are so sorry for your loss Sara and Ruth as well as the entire family! 

OBITUARY

Richard Charles Bailey

November 3, 1939 – July 23, 2020

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

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