"mr richards was the best princple ever rip mr richards 12 12 19love anylabrown"
In loving memory of
Chris Richards
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Christopher Lee Richards, aged 45 -- a loving husband, father, and friend to all who shared in his life. Chris passed away the morning of December 12, 2019, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Chris was born on September 28, 1974, at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois. He was a lifelong learner, and a passionate leader in education. As early as his first day of kindergarten, he found himself destined to be in the principal's office. Serving in his eighth year as the principal of Black Hawk Elementary School in Burlington, Iowa, Chris was greatly admired by both colleagues and students for his generosity with his time and resources and for his selflessness, a TRUE GRAYHOUND! Despite his strict "no whining" rule, he cared sincerely and unconditionally for others -- for his students, upon each of whom he bestowed a nickname; for his friends and colleagues, whose problems he helped tackle with unwavering optimism; and for his family, who will never truly be able to express how much they knew he loved them.
Chris received his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, and his master's degree in educational administration from the University of La Verne in La Verne, California. He married his wife, Melissa, on April 6, 2002, in Palm Desert, California. In traveling the world, Chris and Melissa discovered a profound love for Egypt, and an even more profound appetite in Greece. Chris and Melissa's zeal for education, Halloween, and a mostly common taste in music helped bring them together, even when they didn't always agree on every song for the family playlist.
Chris was an inspiration to his daughter, Rhapsody. Chris shared with her his passion for the Iowa Hawkeyes, as they attended nearly every home game their team played at Kinnick Stadium. One of Chris' dreams for Rhapsody was for her to visit every Big Ten stadium by her high school graduation, a goal that will still be fulfilled. Chris was a huge Disney fan and has the pictures with Buzz Lightyear and Mickey to prove it. Trips to Disneyland became the norm every year, which created endless adventurous and fun-loving memories for Chris's daughter and nieces and nephews.
Chris lived for others, and the indelible spirit by which he lived served as an example for the community he led and respected dearly. He would be so thankful for the community's outpouring of love and support that has been given to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Melissa; his daughter, Rhapsody; his parents, Dr. Stephen and Janice Richards; his sister and her husband, Alison and Travis Watson, and their children Kyle and Jack; his parents-in-law, Michael and Mary Ann Binn; and his brother-in-law and his wife, Michael and Terian Binn, and their children Mikey, Chloe, Gilbert, and Brittany.
Chris is preceded in death by his beloved uncle, Dr. Thomas Richards, and grandparents Dwane and Helen Richards and Ralph and Dorothy Miller.
A service will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at 1:00 pm in the Burlington High School Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, the family of Principal Richards invites contributions in his name to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital, or to the Principal Chris Richards Scholarship Education Fund.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Tributes
"Dr. Steve and Jan, I am so sorry for the loss of Christopher. He leaves a legacy among friends and students. There are no words to ease the pain, but know that many are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Keep the memories close to help you through the days to come. "
"Sending you my love and prayers during this difficult time. I'll also be sending a donation in Chris's honor to the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Dallas. So wish I could have known Chris and your whole family. Love - (Second Cousin) - Rev. Dr. Karen Jones"
"Dennis and I are praying for you all at this terrible time. Our thoughts and love are with you. We hope that in time you will find comfort in knowing that he has touched the face of God."
"We want to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Chris Richards. We have many fond memories of Chris when he was living in Algona and attending school, as a classmate and friend of our son Justin. We will continue to pray for the family as you go through this difficult time. Jeanne and Harlan Wittkopf "
"Mr.Richards You are one of a kind and always been there for my child AyDen since he started there in Pre-K. Thank you for always caring for others. "
"Melissa and Rhapsody , So sorry for your loss. This is a para?-phrase of a poem I have seen?-Chris? life was a blessing, his memory a treasure, he was loved beyond words, and will be missed beyond measure. Wanted to share this with y?all. Please let me know what I can do for y?all if needed. Sure miss him ? LOVE , Teri Sandidge "
"To the family and friends of Chris. I am deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy. May God give you peace and strength to get you through this next phase in your lives. Chards was a really funny guy. I went to high school with him and always enjoyed being around his larger than life personality. I will remember him as the guy behind me who would yank my hair in algebra to copy of my sheet or if he didn't hear something. Lol. Will miss him. "
"I am still in shock. Chards was such a fantastic person to know. I looked forward to seeing him every day in high school because I knew he would always make me smile. Class clown - yes - but always in good goofy fun. He always made the bus rides during basketball a ton of fun. I remember one time he and I were sharing a bag of animal crackers and he said we had to make the animal sound before we could eat them. My heart is breaking for the Richards family. Everyone who knew him should consider themselves blessed. He will be missed always. Melanie Steinle (Hartman)"
"I enjoyed working with Chris at the Graettinger-Terril School."
"So sorry to hear about Chris's tragic death. Chris was such a wonderful man. He was an awesome Principal over there at Blackhawk Elementary. I will truly miss him. All family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. All have my Deepest Heartfelt Sympathy. Marie Fritz "
"So sorry to hear about your son,Dr Steve and Janice. Our sympathy to your entire family!! Your golfing friend in Spirit Lake?Larry and Nary Ann Jansen"
"Chris was one of the first principals that I got to know after I started working as a Math Consultant for the AEA. He welcomed me to the school and helped me to get to know the teachers. He was wonderful to have in a class because he always participated fully and asked lots of questions. He will missed very much! Lori Mueller"
"I am so saddened to hear the news of Chris?s passing. I was blessed with the pleasure of coffee and play dates with his family while they were in Spirit Lake. My heart, thoughts, and prayers goes out to you. I hope that throughout this time you will be able to find a smile knowing how much he loved and cherished his family. Leslie Felton"
"Jan, Steve, Alison, Melissa and Rhapsody, There's no words can truly express my heart felt prayers and condolences to you all. Hugs to you all and may you find some comfort in the many friends who care for you so much. I can only imagine the words that "my" Dorothy (Christopher's grandma) will have for him upon their greeting in the Land of Eternity. Please, know if there's anything I can do to be of help, I'm here for you. You have my deepest sympathies, Shari"
"Please express my heartfelt sympathy to Dr. Steve and his entire family. I play golf with Dr. Steve many times a week in Okoboji and I know he is a strong family man and even though I never met Chris, I feel a bit of a bond as a former educator and know he has had a huge impact on those he has come in contact with. I can?t imagine the pain of this loss but will pray that God, family and friend will bring a measure of peace and comfort. Randy Graff"
"To the family i pray god heals your heart from this tragedy Mr Richards was a great principal he helped so many people including my family he will be truly missed"
"To the family of Chris, May God wrap his arms around all of you and give you strength and bring peace to your hearts during these difficult days ahead! We first met Chards when he was the best man for our daughters wedding. Jeremy and Melissa 20 yrs ago. Such a fine young man! He will be missed by so many! Our hearts ache along with you all! John and Janice Sheehan Sioux City, IA"
"Chards was a part of our friends group at BV and was always a happy go lucky personality. It?s easy to see even from many years ago that he was destined to work with kids and it?s no surprise to hear how the kids loved him. We had many laughs and good times together but I will always remember him for the impromptu dance he and a high school friend of mine did at our wedding that appeared to the crowd to have been previously choreographed. What a great guy this world has lost! Our prayers are with his family in this difficult time."
"Chards was one of my first college roommates and was truly one in a million. He was always a supportive and genuine person and this world will be truly dimmer without him in it. We lost touch and I never got to meet his family nor see the husband, father, and principle he became, but having known him for the years I did it doesnt surprise me how much love people had for him. You will truly be missed, my friend, and I truly pray for all of us that are left without you in our lives."
"Thoughts and prayers for all family and friends??"
"I was lucky enough to get to know Chards in college. He was always a true original and one of my absolute favorite people. I am praying for his family and all of the people in his life who will miss him so dearly. Chris Young"
"We are sad to learn of Christopher?s (Jan usually Always called him by his given name) accident and passing. We are so very sorry for the families loss and for all his students and families as well. Deepest sympathies Craig and Betty Erpelding"
"Melissa, Sending you lots of love during this difficult time. Brenda Almack "
"We transferred from Arizona to Iowa in June and our son was warmly welcomed to the district by Mr. Richards which aided greatly in making transition as seamless as possible. Every time I picked our son up early for an orthodontist appointment Mr. Richards would ask how we were settling and adjusting to the weather (I am not a big fan of cold). I was incredibly impressed with his ability to be personal given the volume of people he must interact with. Our son was moved by Chris? beautiful messages of inclusion and positivity. Our lives have been enriched through knowing him. Our prayers are with all those blessed to know and miss him. "
"Chris was awesome... such a good, funny, genuine person. Miss you chards! "
"I had the pleasure of meeting Chris while working at Stone Gardens. He would come collect children that did not show up to school or do welfare checks on them. I've never seen another educator do such a thing. He was always very positive. Prayers to the family. He will be missed tremendously"
"My grandson Mason McAllister was acting out when he first went to Blackhawk. It was his third grade year. When Mr. Richards connected with him, it made all the difference in the world. His family all feel that if it wasn't for this Principal, Mason would still be in trouble all the time. Mason is going to Aldo Leopold this year and misses this fantastic human being. He was so sad to leave that school because of him. They really had a connection, like no other. I am so very sorry for the loss of this man. Sorry his family is going through this horrific ordeal and I am not a real religious person, but will Pray for all. My heart goes out to you...God Bless you all.."
"My husband and I transferred to Iowa from Texas for a year our original distract elementary was suppose to be grimes but with some unexpected luck their kindergarten classes were full and we were sent to Blackhawk. Me. Richards net ya with open arms and acted as if he had known us his entire life. My girls would always choose to eat lunch with him anytime they were given the chance. Along side amazing teachers Mr. Richards made every child feel special, he knew them all by name (even though we was there for one school year). We were sad to leave Iowa to come back home to Texas for many reasons 1. When you are from the south (and I mean way south Texas) you don?t get snow and we loved it 2. We met some amazing people and the kids had great friends (all of which we keep in touch with) 3. We were extremely sad to leave such an amazing school full of great teachers and hands down the most amazing, compassionate, funny, & active with students principle!! I?m extremely sad for his family and this amazing community! We are sending so much love and prayers from Texas for our favorite place up north. I?m so sorry for the loss of an amazing soul! May God bless you all Xoxo -The Sharbine Family "
"Mr. Richards had all 5 of our kids, two of which were behavioral challenged. He treated them all the same. The Burlington school district has lost a tremendously wonderful asset to their staff. Our prayers to his family. "
"I remember one day I got a call from him. He said, "Hey Kara, It's Chris again. I was calling because (my middle son) managed to get out of class and run around Blackhawk telling freedom." As himself was laughing. Little did we know at that moment, my son was Autistic. He really is a one in a lifetime person. He had so much love and passion for that school, community and especially every child that walked through those doors. I know we owe him so much. I'm glad our lives got to meet up for even a short period, it was truly an honor to know him, even in a small way. "
"My husband and I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to your family, and all who knew him! We are so sorry for your loss of Chris! Billy & Kelly Jeffers"
"So very sorry for your loss! I had the pleasure of meeting Chris when I had to go fill in for a worker in the cafeteria.. I went there 4 or 5 times and he always greeted me with a smile and good morning . Again I?m so very sorry for your loss, my heart aches for your family and you?re in my thoughts and prayers ?"
" "
"Dr. Richards and Family, Tim and I are profoundly saddened by Chris's tragic passing. We send our condolences to you, and to all who cherished him. Tim and Mary Lou Morz"
"Steve, Jan, and Alison, you have our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Jack and Ann Williams"
"Melissa and Rhapsody you don't know me but I want to send my sincere sympathy to you. Mr. Richards was a wonderful mentor to children and adults alike. He will be deeply missed by all. May God touch you and help you through this difficult time. May God bless you all. It was a sincere pleasure to know him. "
"Melissa and Rhapsody, so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed Chris? optimism and friendliness whenever he greeted me coming over to North Hill for meetings. Much love and many prayers for you and your family during this time.
Nicki and Marc Moad
Alexandra, Athena, Adriana and Anthony"
"Deepest sympathy to your family. Our daughter-in-law Julie Russell (4th grade teacher), her husband Travis and three kids truly enjoyed their friendship with Chris. Don stopped in with Travis and Julie to crash a tailgate party and Don was very impressed with Chris and those at the party. Will be hard to go to the games without thinking of him and saying "Go Hawks!" Thankful for the short years our grandchildren had him as their principal and a wonderful role model. May you feel the comfort of God as so many prayers are being lifted for you all. Don and Julie Russell"