Richard John Richards was born August 18, 1951 the son of W. T. “Junior” Richards and Wanda Gayle (Henkes) Richards.

He was raised in Edgewood, Iowa and as a young man he worked at his parents’ restaurant, Richards Café. Richard worked for many years in the foundry at the John Deere works in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1986 he married Mary Betterton and moved to Knoxville, Iowa. He then worked for SuperValu, Vermeer and later at Pella Corp.

Richard was an active member of the Apostolic Church of Knoxville. In his spare time, he enjoyed studying trains and visiting train museums.

Richard passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Comfort House, in Pella, at the age of 74 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Junior and Wanda Richards.

Those left to remember Richard include his wife, Mary; sister, Cathy Banner; brother, Robert Richards and many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.