Press Release 02/26/2007

MBS FAMILY MOURNS THE LOSS OF CHUCK RICHARDSON

WARRENSBURG, MO -- The Missouri Boys State Board of Directors and staff are saddened by news of the death of the first governor of the first Missouri Boys State Charles C. “Chuck” Richardson. Richardson peacefully joined the post everlasting on Saturday evening February 24, 2007 at the Indian Creek Nursing Facility in Overland Park, KS with his family at his side. He was 85.

Richardson was a true Missouri Boys State legend. No other individual can claim the depth and breadth of his history with Missouri Boys State. He was elected the first governor of Missouri Boys State in 1938 and served in many capacities as a member of the staff and board of directors following his year of participation. From 1951 to 1970 he served as MBS Quartermaster (now known as Dean of Operations). His 19 years of service in this position is the longest term in MBS history for a member holding one of the top three leadership positions (i.e. Director, Dean of Counselors, Dean of Operations) and second among executive committee officers. Only I.L. Peters who served 22 years as Dean of Administration (1953-1975) was longer. He was the first to hold two separate leadership positions when he was named MBS Director in 1974. He served as director through the 1975 session and was named a lifetime member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. In 1982, he was a founding member of the A.B. Weyer Memorial Trust Fund (now known as the The American Legion Missouri Boys State Trust Fund). He served as a trustee from 1982 until last month. He was named to the Missouri Boys State Hall of Fame as an inaugural member in 1987. He was honored for 50 years of service to Missouri Boys State in 1988 when Director Paul Wilson presented him with a commemorative gavel and 60 years of service in 1998 when Director Mike Stewart presented him with framed silver dollars from 1938 and 1998. In 1990, the MBS Board of Directors bestowed Richardson with perhaps his most endearing honor. The board unanimously approved the retirement of the Cockrell City name in favor of its new name – Richardson City. Unfortunately, Richardson’s health limited his activity at MBS following 1998, but his board service and service as a trustee brought his participation at MBS to nearly 70 years.

Richardson earned his American Legion membership through his service in the U.S. Navy. He served as a reconnaissance photographer in the Pacific Theater during World War II and he continued to serve in the Naval Reserves until his retirement with the rank of Captain. He was a member of Blue Hills American Legion Post 469 in Kansas City. Following his service, he returned to Kansas City where he took up his father’s printing business. He built the Dick Richardson Printing Company into one of the largest and most respected printing businesses in Kansas City. The company still operates under the Richardson Family name. He was very active in public service in Kansas City including 58 years as a member of the Sertoma Club of Kansas City and he was a past president and a member of the board of directors for Research Medical Center. He loved to play golf and was a great Kansas City Chiefs fan. His wife Elaine preceded him in death (1991). He is survived by 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.