Robert Owen Richardson

1922-2006

Robert Richardson, 83, formerly of Gallatin, died April 7, 2006, at the Tabor Hills Care Center in Naperville, Ill. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, at McWilliams Funeral Home in Gallatin. Family visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery near Gallatin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gallatin Alumni Association in care of the funeral home at 1329 W. Grand, Gallatin, MO 64640.

Robert was born Sept. 7, 1922, to Denver Oscar and Izetta Opal (Wellman) Richardson in Gallatin. He graduated from Gallatin High School May 19, 1940. He received his college degree in physics at Drury College in Springfield, Mo., and went on to receive his law degree from the George Washington University Law School in 1954. During that time Robert was a Democratic Candidate for Congress in 1952. He was admitted to practice law before the U. S. Supreme Court and specialized as a Patent Attorney for the Aerospace Industry and the Military. His last position before retiring was as Patent Council for the Army, Rock Island Arsenal, in Rock Island, Ill.

Robert was a Lt. Commander in the Navy retiring after 30 years service in the active and Navy Reserves. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Naval Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Robert was a published author, in 1981 he wrote "How to Get Your Own Patent" and "The Weird and Wondrous World of Patents" in 1990. He was baptized at an early age and was a member of the First Christian Church in Gallatin, and Greek Orthodox Church in the Quad City area. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge Early Morning Lodge No. 672 in Bettendorf, Iowa.

He is survived by his son, R. Steven Richardson, Fresno, Calif.; one daughter, Linda Nicola, Woodland Hills, Calif.; one brother, Rollin (Ron) Richardson, Little Rock Ark.; and three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.