Donald L. Richardson

Donald L. Richardson passed away March 20, 2015 after a year of failing health. He was born December 23, 1939 to George Lee and Ruby Inez Varvel Richardson in Morrill, Nebraska. He was the youngest of four children. His siblings were Robert Richardson, Shirley Morehead and Delores Meyer-Watson (all deceased). As a young child Don lived in many locations while the family followed his father from job to job as an asphalt superintendent with Peter Kiewit Sons. The family settled more permanently in Fort Collins in the 1950s, and he attended Lincoln Junior High and Fort Collins High School. At Fort Collins High School he participated in a variety of activities. He was in some plays, concert band and orchestra and also head cheerleader his senior year. It was in his freshman year he invited Marilyn Henke to the Homecoming Dance. They were married in 1959 and have been dancing together ever since. Don went on to CSU and received a B.S. in Business Administration and then worked for Phillips Petroleum and Hughes Men's Wear. Don returned to CSU and received his teaching certificate. At age 30 he starting teaching Distributive Education in Longmont, CO, and then obtained a M.S. in Vocational Education. Another five years went by and he became a faculty member in Vocational Education at CSU. He received a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from The University of Colorado and served as Acting Department Head in Vocational Education at CSU. After CSU he became Director of Denver Technical College in Denver, later becoming Executive Director of the Colorado State Council on Vocational Education. He then worked with three businessmen to obtain a grant from the Department of Energy (1 million in cash and 30 million in surplus manufacturing equipment from the former Rocky Flats Plant). Together they created the Rocky Mountain Manufacturing Academy for the Colorado Community College System at the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. He retired as Director in 1999. Along the way he found time to be a husband, friend, father, Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout Master and President of Colorado Vocational Association and other organizations related to Education. In retirement he worked as a bank teller as well as volunteering at the First United Methodist Church as Financial Secretary. Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn; sons, Timothy (Rene) and Donald; daughters, Becky Bell (Stewart) and Amy Arnott (Brian); eight grandchildren, Jenny, Bryant and Mallory Bell; Holli, Trevor and Megan Richardson; Christopher and Bridget Arnott; great grandchildren, Wesley Cordova, Dallas, and Calisse Luvene. He is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family. Don sometimes liked to do random acts of kindness, and we hope in remembrance of him you will too. A Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at a later date at Grandview Cemetery. Reverend David Dalke will officiate the service. Memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524.

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Donald L. Richardson

December 23, 1939 - March 20, 2015