SARASOTA, Fla., VAN BUREN and TRENTON – Rodney Charles Richards, 75, died Nov. 5, 2006, in Sarasota, Fla. He was born Aug. 9, 1931, in Van Buren, the son of Carl and Corinne (Gagnon) Richards of Van Buren. Rod came to Sarasota, Fla., in 1993. Rod was the pharmacist and owner of Richards Pharmacy, Van Buren. Established by his father, Carl, in 1927, Richards Pharmacy was a mainstay in the St. John Valley until 1984. During that time he also managed the Van Buren Community Hospital’s pharmacy, making it fully accredited by the state and the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospitals. He also provided clinical services for the local nursing home, necessary for the licensing and accreditation of that facility. He belonged to the Maine Pharmacy Association and was past president and member of the Van Buren Rotary Club. He inspired a number of young people to choose pharmacy as a profession. With his great love of tennis, he was an original founder of the Van Buren Tennis Association, which obtained and rebuilt the old tennis courts, making tennis a wonderful addition to the town’s recreational facilities. Rod was a loving husband and father; but most people will remember him for his optimism and his laugh, in spite of his many illnesses. His answer, when asked how he felt, was always, “terrific!” or “never had it so good!” He will be sorely missed and long remembered. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lillian (Plourde) Richards of Sarasota, Fla.; four children, Anne of Topsham, Scott of Madawaska, Lynne of Portland and Kathryn Beveridge of Arrowsic; five grandchildren, Will, Alec and Tristan Beveridge and Julia and Sam Richards. There will be a memorial service Nov. 26, in Sarasota, Fla., and June of 2007, in Trenton. Memorial donations may be made to the Northern Maine Medical Center Foundation, 194 East Main St., Fort Kent, ME 04743.
RODNEY C. RICHARDS
