Robert James Richey Jr.

A long time resident of Warminster, Bob was born on September 14, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to parents Robert James Richey Sr. and Elizabeth Richey, née Benjamin. He graduated from Germantown High School in 1967. Bob then continued his education at Penn State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1971.

Following graduation, Bob became eligible for the draft with a draft lottery number of 001. He would frequently joke it’s the only lottery he ever won. Rather than wait to be called to serve, he enlisted in the US Army in the summer of 1971. He was assigned to the meteorological section of the 8th Infantry Division, and stationed in Baumholder, West Germany from 1971 to 1973. In addition to recording meteorological data via weather balloon and relaying it to artillery units, Bob’s artistic inclinations resulted in his duties including the painting of signage around the base and camouflage patterns on military vehicles. In the course of this service, he gained a deep appreciation for the people from all walks of life with whom he served in the age of the draft. During his leave, Bob took to exploring Europe by bicycle. His trips took him through the cities and countryside of Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, and the UK. The scenery combined with physical exercise would have a lasting influence on his life.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Bob went on to establish a career as an aerospace engineer, working for the Johnsville Naval Air Development Center for 23 years. From the outset of his career as an engineer, Bob maintained ambitions of establishing a career as a fine artist. He showed an aptitude for drawing from an early age, and began to show his work professionally in his twenties. Initially favoring watercolor, he soon shifted mediums to pastel, focusing primarily on landscapes as his subject matter. After an early retirement from engineering in 1996, Bob devoted himself fully to his creative work. Prolific and successful, he ultimately sold over 5,000 original works during a career spanning nearly 50 years as an artist. Among his favorite activities and achievements in fine art were 45 consecutive appearances at the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show from 1980 to 2024, 28 consecutive appearances at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts from 1997 to 2024, having one of his pastels taken into the permanent collection of the James A. Michener Art Museum, and having his profile and work published in Doris Brandes’ book Artists of the River Towns.

In addition to his career as an engineer and artist, Bob was also a lifelong athlete. His enthusiasm for cycling led to him saving up vacation time during his engineering career in order to participate in numerous cycling tours. These included a ride across the United States as part of Bikecentennial '76, a three week tour of New Zealand with friends, and a solo tour of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Also a runner, Bob joined the Bucks County Roadrunners club and participated in races ranging from indoor track to marathons. He was particularly proud of running a sub five minute mile for the first time at age 40. It was also through the Roadrunners club where he met his wife of 41 years Linda. The two of them would compete in countless road races, triathlons, and other multi-sport events throughout their marriage. Most recently, Bob was named an All American by USA Triathlon in 2015, placing second nationally in the 65–69 age group in the aquabike (an event combining swimming and cycling). Bob and Linda also cycled together, occasionally literally on a tandem bicycle, through Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Arizona, and took leisurely vacations to Belize, Bermuda, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hawaii.

At the end of the day, Bob was a person content with simple pleasures. Beyond the achievements and adventures above, he was an enthusiastic Phillies, Eagles, and PSU fan, followed the Tour de France every summer, and always looked forward to the upcoming Olympic Games. He took pride in his role as a caregiver to his eldest son who suffered a spinal cord injury, and cherished time with his family. Whether it was playing along with Jeopardy! after dinner on weekdays, cycling with his wife and friends on Sunday mornings, or swimming in the sound during the family's annual vacation to the Outer Banks, Bob always appreciated the present moment and chose to see the best in the world and people around him.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert James Richey Sr. and Elizabeth Richey. He is survived by his wife Linda Richey, née Bangs, sons Robert James Richey III and Andrew Edward Richey, brother Benjamin Allen ‘Ed’ Richey, sister-in-law Sandy Richey, née Kozak, and nieces Aubrey Richey and Emily Richey.

A visitation is scheduled for December 12, 2024, at Wm. Rowen Grant Funeral Home, 659 Street Road, Southampton, PA 1896, from 10:00am to 12:00pm, followed by a funeral service at 12:00pm, and interment at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940, at 2:00pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Adam Taliaferro Foundation, which assisted the Richey family with uninsured medical expenses following their son Robert’s spinal cord injury in 2012.