Charles Stoddard Richards

Chuck was born August 6, 1941, in Bennington, Vermont. He spent his early years in Mohawk, NY but most of his youth was spent in Poland, NY. Chuck was a graduate of The Manlius Military Academy in Manlius, NY. He then attended West Point Military Academy, where he was the first cadet over 6’6” to attend any United States Military Academy. After two years at West Point, he decided basketball was his calling and transferred to Syracuse University where he played his junior and senior seasons. He served as a co-captain with Dave Bing during his senior season and was named an Academic-All American. While at Syracuse, Chuck was a member of The Delta Upsilon fraternity where he met many life-long friends. It is at Syracuse University where Chuck met the love of his life, Carol Lehan. Carol and Chuck were married in Syracuse, NY on April 30, 1966.

Upon graduation in 1965 he briefly pursued professional basketball in the NBA and Eastern League while joining his father’s small Chevrolet dealership in Barneveld, NY. In 1968, Chuck joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent. He initially served in the Indianapolis field office before being transferred to Charlotte in 1969. He was fortunate to spend the remainder of his career with the FBI in Charlotte. During his time with the FBI, he served as a field agent covering western North Carolina, traveled the US specializing in sports bribery and gambling, was a firearms instructor, member of the SWAT team and acted as the press liaison for the Charlotte office. He retired from the FBI in 1996 with 28 years of service. He treasured his time serving in the FBI and continued to meet monthly for lunch with a group of former agents. After retirement, he joined his wife Carol in their family retail business before fully retiring in 2004.

Chuck was honored in 2000 with the Letter Winner of Distinction by Syracuse University for 20 years of distinguished service to Country, Alma Mater, Community and Profession and was inducted in The Manlius School’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018.

Chuck remained athletic throughout his life. He spent most Sunday afternoons playing basketball with friends at South Mecklenburg High School. He also completed the New York City Marathon, played in many Charlotte Pro-Am summer basketball leagues and in later years competed nationally on Senior Olympic basketball teams, winning a national title representing North Carolina.

Chuck had a passion for coaching young men. He assisted his friends Kerry Sargent and Clarence “CJ” Johnson coaching the 16/17 year-old teams of the Charlotte Nets for 30 years. The teams competed throughout the country and many young men received collegiate scholarships through their participation and exposure. Chuck loved the game of basketball and took great pride in helping advance the lives of young men through the game.

Chuck was passionate about war history, mainly studying the Civil War and World War II. He studied through voluminous reading and traveling with friends to battlefields and significant event locations across the United States and Europe.

Most of all, Chuck was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend. He cherished traveling to see his grandchildren, taking in their sporting events, joining in on hunting and fishing trips with family, and an annual vacation to Hilton Head Island every September for a week with dear friends. He had a smile and a story for anyone who would listen.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Gerald Richards and Doris Vincent Richards of Poland, NY and his daughter, Michelle Marie Richards of Charlotte, NC. Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carol Lehan Richards, son Geoffrey Stoddard Richards and his wife Rebecca King Richards, son Brian Charles Richards and his wife Emily Norman Richards, sister Linda Richards and grandchildren Madelyn Grace Richards, William Geoffrey Richards, Claire Ashford Richards and Merrill Elizabeth Richards.

Chuck’s family wishes to express deep appreciation to the many devoted staff, nurses and doctors who provided care for Chuck. Specific gratitude to Dr. James Watkins who saw Chuck weekly over the past year.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1623 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 or the Coach Clarence Johnson Foundation, 436 East 36th Street, Charlotte, NC 28205.

A memorial service to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held Friday, July 12th at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1623 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Reception to follow the service at St. John’s.