Richard A. Mills ’50

Richard A. Mills ’50, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away Mar. 21 surrounded by his family. Richard was born on Nov. 10, 1928, in Toledo, Ohio, to Dr. Richard A. and Dorothy Mills. He moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1940. He graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School where he played football and was captain of the high school basketball team that won the 1946 Florida State Championship. Richard attended Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., where he played basketball and helped lead his team to victory against Duke University by scoring the tying and winning points of the game. He continued his education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, graduating with a pharmacy degree. He served in the U.S. Army Nike Guided Missile Corps from 1952–54. He was a pharmacist in Fort Lauderdale. He then became an investment banker and stockbroker with Merrill Lynch, retiring in 1998. Richard was active in the community as a past Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner. Due to his untiring service to the Fort Lauderdale community and in recognition of his contributions to recreation in the city, Mills Pond Park was renamed in his honor upon his retirement from the Commission. Richard and his wife spent summers at their home in Franklin, N.C., enjoying the beautiful mountains and their many cherished friends in Watauga Vista. Richard was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. Community involvement included: U.S. Navy League president, Broward County Planning Council, Broward County League of Cities, Florida State Welfare Board, Little League Coach for 15 years, Phi Delta Theta; Rotary Club; Stock and Bond Club; and Honored Founder, City of Fort Lauderdale (2003). Richard is survived by his wife, Christine Mills, 2727 N.E. 18th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305-3605; brother, Robert Mills ’71; children, Richard A. Mills III (Ann), Casey W. Mills, Cynthia Hoffmann (Gary), and Susan Gentile (Earl). He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren, Andrew, Allie, Bradford, Valerie, Jackson, and Haley Rose.