The Passing of a Pioneer
It is with regret that I announce Rick Richards, the former dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, died Sunday.
Rick was a 1938 OAC graduate and was appointed its first dean in1962. His legacy will be that he was one of the four principal academic leaders who shared in establishing U of G. After completing two terms as dean, he returned to teaching and retired in 1981, and was a mentor and adviser to countless numbers of U of G students.
Rick had a lifelong commitment to excellence in administration, teaching, research and extension. He spearheaded the construction of new facilities, provided leadership in the development of broader, more scientific programs and the expansion of faculty.
He was also a pioneer in his field, creating the process of soil classification and mapping for Ontario. As a professional agrologist, he implemented plans for the Canadian Agricultural Research Council as its first president and was president of the Canadian Society of Soil Science, the Ontario Institute of Agrologists and the Agricultural Institute of Canada. He was also the Canadian representative to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
In 1999, the University awarded Rick its Alumnus of Honour award. Rick and his wife, Mary, were also the first inductees into the Order of OAC in 1999.
He will be sadly missed.
A visitation will be held Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel, 206 Norfolk Street n Guelph. The funeral will be on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 161 Norfolk Street.
