Dr. Arthur Richards Jr.
Surrounded by his loving family, Dr. Arthur Richards Jr. passed away peacefully on Monday in a Pittsburgh hospital, after a brief illness and surgery.
He was a kind and compassionate man who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and contributing to his community and profession.
He was born on Nov. 4, 1926, to Jane Shaw and Arthur Richards.
He attended Glen-Nor High School in Glenolden, Pa.
In 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Bousum, the love of his life for 68 years.
Dr. Richards attended Swarthmore College and then matriculated to the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from its veterinary school in 1949.
After an internship in New Jersey, he and Carol moved to Grove City in 1952 and established the Richards Veterinary Hospital on the Grove City-Harrisville Road. He introduced small animal care to rural Western Pennsylvania, while also providing large animal care. He was a pioneer in providing innovative surgical techniques, often collaborating with local doctors to help his patients. Dr. Richards also established the Franklin Animal Clinic in Franklin, which he later sold.
Dr. Richards was recognized as a leader by his peers. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association in 1974 and was awarded the Pennsylvania Veterinarian of the Year in 1977. In 1985, he was honored by the Veterinary Medical Alumni Society of the University of Pennsylvania for his efforts in the field of veterinary medicine.
After selling, the Richards Veterinary Hospital in 1997, he and his wife moved to Slippery Rock. Dr. Richards worked as a relief veterinarian in other local veterinary practices until the age of 89.
In 2002, he wrote and published his autobiography Tale Waggings.
He loved his community. Dr. Richards was a member of the Pine Township Planning Commission which drew up the original zoning ordinance for Pine Township. He served on the board of directors of Grove City Country Club, where he enjoyed many years of golf and family activities. He was an active Rotarian since 1954, a longtime member of the Shriners and active in local politics.
Words cannot express how greatly he will be missed by his beloved wife, Carolyn; four daughters, Candace C. Relic (Grant) of Brunswick, Ohio; Stacy A. Richards of Lewisburg, Pa.; Julie R. Stoehr (Kevin) of Hummelstown, Pa.; Peggy R. Stoehr (Michael) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and his son, Arthur Scott Richards of Lancaster; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was an epic family man who shared his love and life with many Rotary exchange students as well as his ever expanding family. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Robert.
Art loved life and people and was able to live a happy healthy life with his wife and family until the day he passed away. His active devotion to humanity and social justice was boundless. He was a shining example of how to live a life full of health, family, hard work, social awareness and righting wrongs
He will be missed by many people.
RICHARDS — Guests of the family of Dr. Arthur Richards Jr., who died Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, and from 10 until 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, at Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.A service celebrating Art's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, at the Smith Funeral Home.If you wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Slippery Rock Community Library www.slipperyrocklibrary.org., or the Shriners Childrens' Hospitals www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/donate.
