Edgar Morrison Richardson ’52

Edgar Morrison Richardson ’52 died June 1 at age 79, succumbing after a decade with Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Richardson took early retirement from teaching English at the University of Cincinnati (1961-87) and continued many additional years of international volunteer work through Travelers Aid International. Richardson is survived by his wife, Kathy Richardson, 2444 Madison Rd., Apt. 1209, Cincinnati, OH 45208-1277, daughters, Lisa Henske (Brad) and Julianne Wagner (Scott), and other family and friends. Born in 1931 to Presbyterian missionaries in China, Richardson lived 10 years as a minority person, and he never forgot his concern for minority groups. After graduating from Davidson, he discovered his love of teaching during military service in the ’50s. Richardson earned advanced degrees from Vanderbilt University, George Peabody College, and the University of Cincinnati. Beginning his teaching in a boys’ prep school in Memphis, later Richardson immersed himself in Warren Wilson College outside Ashville, N.C. He loved his years of teaching, coaching, and leading student work crews there, with students primarily from Appalachia and abroad-both minority groups he thoroughly enjoyed. After marrying Kathy in 1961, Richardson spent most of his career in University College, the open admissions arm of the University of Cincinnati. Again, he relished working with his students, many of them underprepared or the first in their families to go to college, as well as with police cadets and evening college adults. When he took early retirement from UC, he was not ready for his life of service to end. Richardson became a full-time volunteer at Travelers Aid (now part of Family Services). There he taught ESL to immigrants and refugees-again, minority groups. He also researched and compiled three editions of a widely-used international sourcebook. During his 49 years in Cincinnati, Richardson worked for racial understanding and healing and for international peace. His love for China led to his and Kathy’s teaching English in Wuhan, China, in 1982 as well as to work with Liuzhou Sister Cities committee and hosting of Chinese students. He also volunteered with or served on the boards of the Human Relations Council, NCCJ, Sister Cities, World Affairs Council, and other groups concerned with justice, peace, and international affairs. His contributions were recognized in a Bell Telephone Bridges Award, a Global Citizen Award and placement on the International Wall of Fame, and an Applause Magazine Award of Distinction. Richardson also leaves five grandchildren as his legacy: Lauren and Alexander Henske and Drew, Avery, and Charlie Wagner. He is survived by three much-loved Richardson siblings and their wives: Susan, Robert (Patricia), and William ’50 (Mary). He also leaves mother-in-law Eleanor Fjone, sister-in-law Gloria Darke, 14 nieces and nephews and their families, and many very dear friends and relatives.