Robert Houck Richards

Robert “Bob” Houck Richards, 85, of Concord, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2018, at Carolinas HealthCare System Northeast following a short illness.

A graveside service in celebration of Robert’s life will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, March 5, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and more recently attended Glorieta Baptist Church.

Robert was born January 24, 1933, to the late Houck Richards and Wannie Elizabeth Cress Richards. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and retired as a mechanic and farmer. As long as he was able, he still enjoyed mowing at his beloved family farm. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he honorably served his country during the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post 51. He was preceded in death by his first wife Colleen Wilson Richards.

A talented athlete in his youth, Robert played baseball for the Cincinnati Reds farm team. Thereafter, he returned to his native Cabarrus County where he volunteered for many years with local youth baseball programs to encourage those who came behind him to embrace the game and enjoy it as much as he did.

Robert is survived by his wife, Ruth Mills Richards; a son, Robert Eric Richards; two daughters, Sharon Richards and Barbara R. Cantrell and husband Frank; and four grandchildren, Adam Houck Richards and wife Chasity Almond, Amber Barley and husband Michael, Brittany Baucom and husband Scott and Cody Cantrell and five great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.