Obituary of Robert L. Richards

Robert Lyman Richards (‘Buzz”) 85, of Pocasset, MA, passed away on February 13, 2013 after a brief illness. Buzz was born in Boston on November 30, 1927. He graduated from Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH and received a BA from Harvard College in 1949. He served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1953. Buzz was married to Ann Allen on June 27, 1953; they were married 50 years. Buzz and Annie were residents of Sherborn, MA for 17 years before moving to Cape Cod. Buzz worked in the newspaper industry at the New Bedford Standard Times before becoming an advertising executive for Albert Frank Gunther Law (AFGL) in New York, NY. In 1959 he was made head of the AFGL Boston, MA office where he spent the next 15 years before starting his own agency. He enjoyed sailing all of his life and spent four years at different times living aboard a boat and sailing in the Bahamas. Buzz served as the editor of the “’49er”, a newsletter for his Harvard class, that he produced twice a year for 17 years and a total of 34 issues. Buzz was proud of having completed five Pan Mass Challenge charity bike rides starting at age 68. He was also an expert on Currier and Ives prints and in his youth an avid skier and member of the KUA Ski team. Buzz was also a loyal volunteer at the Bourne Library and devoted member of the North Falmouth Congregational Church. Buzz is survived by his special friend Katie Weldon, daughters, Deborah A. Treadwell and Susan L. Richards, son in law Bryan Treadwell, grandchildren Blake Treadwell and Jared Treadwell, sister Nancy Manson, and brother George L. Richards. Buzz is preceded in death by his loving wife Ann Allen Richards. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to The Pan Massachusetts Challenge at WWW.PMC.org or the North Falmouth Congregational Church memorial fund. The family of Buzz Richards wishes to thank Falmouth Hospital and Mass General Hospital for dedicated and compassionate care during his illness. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 2:00 PM at the North Falmouth Congregational Church, located at 155 Old Main Rd. A reception will follow.