Obituary of Steven Robert Richards

Steve was born in West Lafayette, Indiana on November 15, 1951. He graduated from Alma High School in 1970 and attended Central Michigan University where he was president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the CMU Inter Fraternity Council. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1974. At CMU he met his future wife, Carol Murphy Richards, and they were married on December 28th, 1974. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this December. Steve was an incredible husband, father, grandfather and friend. 

Steve worked for 15 years in the manufactured housing industry, taking him to Denver, Atlanta, Indiana, and Raleigh.  In 1989 Steve began his career in Chapel Hill at Edward Jones Investments, where he was a financial advisor for more than 30 years. During those 30 years, Steve served as regional leader and a general partner, and had the pleasure of mentoring countless numbers of financial advisors. He especially enjoyed assisting his many clients over the years and loved getting to know their families. He was honored to be a 25 time Managing Partners’ Conference attendee. He generously shared assets with more than 10 FA’s to help them start their businesses. He especially enjoyed working with Chris, Eddie, and Tom Holtz.

Steve was a force of nature! He loved anything with action and speed. He was a pilot, went on Harley Davison motorcycle trips, loved captaining sailboat trips in the islands, had a least 25 boats over the years, and probably even more cars. He loved adventure and traveling the world with his wife, Carol. Always ready to climb a bridge, swim with sharks or bike the hills. His latest passion was his RV. He loved planning trips and exploring new places, from Maine to Key West, and Montana to Cape Cod. He could fix anything and would be the first to show up and help. He was a human Swiss Army knife and if you needed a tool, he was ready to lend it to you. He was a man of many talents including electrical work, plumbing, and HVAV work all rolled into one!

Steve was a member of University United Methodist Church, Chapel Hill Country Club, Coral Bay Club and Morehead City Country Club.  He especially loved spending time at his home in Sea Isle Plantation at the beach.  He also volunteered his time at the American Red Cross. 

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carol; son, Chris and wife Elizabeth; daughter, Carrie and husband Eddie; six precious grandchildren, Jackson, Cal, Catherine, Andy, Margaret and Christian; a sister, Libby Richards Mitchell; brother in laws Pat and Jim Murphy; nieces Ashley Mitchell and Madison Richards; nephew Patrick Murphy; and a whole lot of special friends who are like family. He was preceded in death by his father James Robert Richards, his mother Doris Richards Murphy and his brother James Timothy Richards.

Steve had many charitable causes close to his heart.  One of his favorites that you may consider if you wish to make a donation is:

Fitch Family Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program 

Www.UNChealthfoundation.org/fitch-family-comprehensive-pediatric-rehabilitation-program 

Our family is so grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.  A dear friend sent us this message:  “As we individually mourn Steve’s passing, together we love and support you and your family and look forward to celebrating a man who truly loved life and lived it 

‘large and in charge’.”  Let’s raise a BLD to Steve. 

The celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, September 18 at University United Methodist Church, 150 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill.