Robert Richardson Obituary

Robert L. "Bob" Richardson

March 30, 1931 - January 27, 2025

Robert L. "Bob" Richardson, Jamestown, N.D., died Monday, January 27, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo N.D.

Bob was born March 30, 1931, in Jamestown, N.D., the son of Lloyd and Emma (Sauter) Richardson.

He attended schools in Jamestown until moving with his parents in 1945 to Edgeley and LaMoure, N.D., where he graduated from high school in 1949. He graduated from Jamestown College in 1953.

He married Norma Rolle September 2, 1952, in Glen Ullin, N.D. They lived in Jamestown, N.D., while they were in college. They moved to Moorhead, Minn., for one year before returning to Jamestown.

Richardson was sports and staff announcer at KSJB radio in Jamestown while a student at Jamestown College. He was then assistant manager of the classified ad department at the Fargo Forum. Returning to Jamestown, he was one of the organizers of KEYJ (now KQDJ) radio in 1954 and became sole owner of the station in 1968. He sold the station in 1980, after which he became Director of Development, Alumni and Public Relations at Jamestown College, then Vice President of the Jamestown College Foundation, retiring in 1999. He was part-time Development Director of the Jamestown Area Foundation and an Associate of the Borr*Strawhecker Group Resource Development Counsel from 1999 to 2004. He was instructor of Jamestown College radio courses from 1956-1960.

Richardson was active in many organizations, serving as President of the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce; the North Dakota Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives; the North Dakota Broadcasters Association; the Jamestown Twilight Baseball League; North Dakota Amateur Baseball Association; the Jamestown Volunteer Firemen's Association (he was a volunteer fireman for 21 years); the Jamestown College Alumni Association; the Jamestown Airport Authority; Jamestown Quarterback Club; North Dakota Independent College Fund; and chairman of Republican Party Districts 48/29.

He also served as Assistant Chief of the Jamestown Fire Department, a Trustee of Jamestown College, and was a member of the Jamestown Industrial Development Commission board, North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations board and a member of the Jamestown Eagles Lodge.

He was active on the Jamestown Community Foundation board, Dakotas Conference United Methodist Foundation board, and Advisory Board of North Dakota Dollars for Scholars, as well as a member of the Jamestown Public School Foundation/Dollars for Scholars board. He was a volunteer for the Medora Foundation, Cross Ranch Blue Grass Festival and the Jamestown Frontier Village. He was a member of Masonic bodies and a life member of the El Zagel Shrine and Clown Unit and a life member of the Jamestown Elks Lodge. He was a long-time Sunday School teacher at First United Methodist Church where he also served as chairman of the Finance Committee and member of the Administrative Board, as well as district Lay Delegate to the annual Dakotas Conference.

Bob was honored by induction into the Jamestown College Hall of Fame in 2004, named JayCees Boss of the Year, and North Dakota Fundraising Executive of the Year.

Bob is survived by three sons: Mark (Lanie), Bay Village, Ohio, Grant (Michelle), Fargo, N.D., Dean, Jamestown; and one daughter: Rae (Jeff) Holte, Moorhead, Minn. Other survivors include 20 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Norma; an infant granddaughter and a grandson.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, at First United Methodist Church, Jamestown, with Pastor Marty Toepke-Floyd officiating.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is suggested for the Richardson Scholarships at the University of Jamestown or First United Methodist Church, Jamestown.

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.