Robert Burke Richardson was born July 12, 1942, in Pueblo, Colorado, to May and Hallie Richardson. Burke went home to the Lord and the loving arms of his wife, Lorraine, on April 28, 2024.
Burke was married to Lorraine for 60 years. He was a loving father to two children, Robert Richardson and Angela Ringersma. He was also a loving grandfather to two grandchildren, Hailey Taylor and Kelly Kealaula.
Burke grew up in Leesville, Louisiana and graduated from Leesville High School in 1959. He was never much for formal learning. He would always share that when his father drove him to college he managed to make it back to Leesville before his father. He then enlisted into the Marine Corps earning the rank of Corporal. Burke was extremely proud of his service to his country and even managed to make Marine Corps history with his battery and lifelong friend Ski by firing the first Howtar artillery round. He was also a firm believer in “once a Marine, always a Marine.” After the Marine Corps, he took a position locally at the bus station until he went to the post office, where he served his community for 33 years. Retiring as postmaster in 1997 he enjoyed all the benefits of living in Louisiana, food, hunting, family, and church.
Burke was a family man through and through, his main passions in life were his wife, Lorriane, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and taking care of his land. He would say that before he met Lorraine, he thought he was happy, but he never knew true happiness until he got to love her. The love that they shared was a great one and the truest form. One was always right behind the other. They were each other’s entire existence. From that love they got their wonderful children Robert and Angela. While Robert and Angela were growing up, he enjoyed hunting with Robert and fishing and always said that those memories were some of his fondest. Angela was always the bookworm, and he was so proud of all her accomplishments, they would study together as their own way of spending time together, along with some fishing and hunting as well. Burke’s second true love was his granddaughter. He was a very rough and tough man until she came along and turned him to mush. He very much enjoyed any time spent with his grandchildren. He loved to teach them about taking care of the property and showing them how to garden. He was extremely proud of his family and loved them all dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, May and Hallie Richardson, and his wife, Lorraine Richardson.
He is survived by his daughter, Angela Ringersma; son, Robert Richardson (Tammy Richardson); granddaughters: Hailey Taylor (Scott Taylor), and Kelly Kealaula (Buddy Gibson); great grandchildren: Caleb, Carsyn, and Cadyn; and sister, Catherine Hudson (Frank Hudson); niece, Laurie (Joe); and nephew, Michael (Beth), and Dan Ringersma.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Leesville Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service.