Robert S. Richards ’56

Bob died peacefully Aug. 29, 2021, in his sleep. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend to many. 

Bob came to Princeton from The Taft School. At Princeton Bob was active in forensics, helping to establish the James Madison Assembly and serving as its vice chairman senior year. As a member of Colonial Club, he participated in squash, bowling, volleyball, bridge, and billiards. 

After graduating with a degree in English, Bob began his investment-management career with Smith Barney in New York. After stints in London and San Francisco, Bob transitioned to commercial real estate in Boise, Idaho, before becoming an account executive at Merrill Lynch, where he worked until his retirement. 

In 1963 he married the love of his life, Sally Bramstedt, with whom he spent 57 happy years until she passed away in August 2020. Together they discovered a passion for hiking and travel and spent much time in retirement traveling to Europe and around the United States. They were active members of First United Methodist Church, and Bob served as president of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SW Idaho and served on the Boards of the Idaho Botanical Garden and Boise Art Museum. 

The couple is survived by two daughters, Sarah and Hilary ’96, and two grandchildren.