Obituary of Ernest Richards

Ernest Richards, 91, of Kingwood Pike, Morgantown, passed away September 1, 2009 at Monongalia General Hospital.He was born in Gateshead, England, Durham County on April 2, 1918 a son of the late Ernest and Elizabeth Wigham Richards.He arrived in America in 1922. After WWII he attended WVU and was a member of the 1946 tennis team. Ernest graduated from New Mexico State University with a B. S. in Ag. Engineering and a M.S. in Engineering from the University of Massachusetts.Besides serving as an engineer with the USDA in New Mexico and Massachusetts, he was also a dairy farmer, coal miner, and a member of Local 5650. Ernest was a registered professional engineer in West Virginia and Massachusetts. He was also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. He was a member of the Harner Chapel Church.He volunteered for the draft Jan. 13, 1941 and returned home after WWII in 1945. During this tour he served with the horse artillery and motorized artillery. He served in two companies in the European Theater of Operation in WWII. He also served during the Korean Campaign with the amphibian engineers in the far East. He was an avid tennis player throughout his life. Ernie, as his friends call him, was a winter sports enthusiast, enjoying downhill and cross country skiing and snowshoeing. After retirement from government service, Ernie operated the family farm with his wife. Elinor, raising beef cattle and caring for their apple orchard.He is survived by his wife, Elinor Richards, two sons, Steven Richards and his wife, Mary Ann in Homedale, ID, and Tom Richards and wife Scheryll Richards and two grandchildren, Garrett and Vanessa all of Morgantown two sisters, Eva Sandors of Point Marion, PA and Grace Stinchcomb of Hershey, PA and several nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty McCoy.Cremation services provided by Hastings Funeral Home.Family and friends will be received at Harner Chapel Church on Saturday, September 12 from 10-11a.m.The Memorial service will be held in the church at 11a.m with Rev. Rick Stackpole and Pastor Dan Meadows officiating. Burial at East Oak Grove at a later date.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ernestâs memory to the Harner Chapel Church, 100 Luckey Lane, Morgantown, WV 26501.