Ron Richard

(From Parker Mortuary)

Senator Ronald “Ron” Francis Richard, devoted son, father, grandfather, brother, friend, local business owner, and public servant to the City of Joplin and State of Missouri passed away peacefully on June 9, 2023. Ron was born on July 4th, 1947 in Parsons KS to Carl F. Richard and Norma Lee (Bevington) Richard.

Ron was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School, McAuley Regional High School, Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science, and Missouri State University (MSU) Masters of Art Degree in Recent American History. Ron was a lifelong Catholic and a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin.

Professionally, Ron was President and CEO of C & N Bowling Corporation. He earned many accolades in the bowling industry including: Board of Directors of Bowling Inc. Milwaukee WI, Bowling Proprietors of America Board of Directors & CEO Search Committee for Executive Director, and Bowling Proprietors of America National Award for Legislative Service.

Politically, Ron’s leadership spanned the local, regional, and State levels. Ron was elected to the Joplin City Council in 1990 to 1994, then Mayor of Joplin in 1994 to 1998, and to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002 where he served four terms, including as Speaker of the House in 2009. In 2010, he was elected to the Missouri Senate where he served for two terms, including as President Pro Tempore in 2015 to 2018. Of significant note, Ron was the first in Missouri’s history to serve in the highest position of both chambers of the Missouri State Legislature.

Ron’s greatest honor was serving both the people of the City of Joplin and the State of Missouri.

Due to Ron’s dedicated and passionate leadership, he was appointed to many local, regional and statewide positions. The various capacities he served and awards include: MSSU Board of Governors, Joplin Outstanding Citizen, Joplin Public Schools R8 Foundation, Joplin Industrial and Development Corporation, Joplin Redevelopment Corporation, Board of Directors of Connect2Culture in Joplin, MSSU Richard Webster Medallion for Legislative Service, Outstanding Alumni of MSSU and MSU, Foundation Board of Directors, Chair of Southern Legislative Conference, St. Louis Chamber Legacy Award, St. Louis Regional Business Council Service Award, St. Louis Chamber Champion Award, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Spirit of Enterprise Award, Community Colleges Outstanding Legislator, State Historical Society of Missouri Distinguished Service Award, Hawthorn Foundation Service Award, Missouri Centurion Award, University of Missouri Geyer Award for Public Service to Education, State Historical Society of Missouri Board of Directors, and served as Co-Chair of the Missouri Bicentennial Commission. Ron was recently inducted into the Academy of Missouri Squires.

Ron was preceded in death by Carl and Norma (Bevington) Richard, his sister-in-law Susan Marie (Teeter) Richard, and his brother Barry Dean Richard. Surviving Ron are wife Patricia Ann (Drummy) Richard, daughter Kara Lea (Richard) Siebert and husband Richard with children Landon, Claire and Katherine, and son Chad Greer, wife Amy (Martin) and children Natalie and Molly. Also surviving are his siblings, Sandra Lee (Richard) Roderique and husband Charles A Roderique Jr., David Joseph Richard and wife Elizabeth (Cornwell) Richard, Randall Alan Richard with fiancée Jan Marshall, and Terrie Lynn (Farren) Richard [Barry]. Also surviving are Patty Richard’s sisters Barbara and Rodney Olsen of Dallas TX, and Sue and John Edwards, of Gainesville FL.

The visitation will be Tuesday, June 13, 5:30 to 8:00pm at MSSU North End Zone Facility. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 14, 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Joplin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Connect2Culture Joplin, Missouri Southern University Foundation, and the Carl Richard Scholarship Youth Bowling Program in care of Parker Mortuary.