Submitted by: Dan Rich

Norman Earl Richards

April 9, 1917 - Dec. 11, 2000

South Bend Tribune 12/14/2000

Norman "Bud" Earl Richards, 83, of North Berry Rd., South Bend, IN, passed away at home on Monday. Bud was born on April 9, 1917, in South Bend, IN, and lived in this area all of his life.

On January 26, 1938, in South Bend, he married the former Mary Jeanette Hart, who passed away on December 1, 1997. He is survived by two daughters, Sharon L. (Dale) Coahran and Sandra L. Storms, both of South Bend; four granddaughters, Lisa M. Welter of West Palm Beach, FL, Kimberly L. Warrner (Jim) of Muncie, IN, Kelly R. Luepke (Jeff) of Green Bay, WI, and Michelle L. Bauer (Todd) of South Bend; three great-grandchildren, Travis Gene Warren of Muncie, Hannah Rae Luepke of Green Bay, WI, and Carson Jacob Bauer of South Bend; and by a brother, Clay Richards of South Bend; and a "special" niece and nephew, Laurie (Rob) Vaughn and Chris Richards; as well as several other nieces and nephews in South Bend. Three sisters, Irene Felker, Blanche Boarders and Vera Wilson, and three brothers, Harry Richards, Gloyd Richards and Donald Richards, all preceded him in death.

Bud was a member of the West Side Church of Christ. In addition to his lifelong dedication to the UAW Local 9, Bud, along with his wife, Jeanette, conducted travel tours for Bendix retirees. Bud retired from the Bendix Corp. in 1982 after 43 years. During that time he held many offices and positions with the UAW Local 9 Union-Bendix, UAW Steward, Bendix Council Member, Region 3 Auto Council Member, chairman on numerous Strike Committees, and Editor of the Bendix Newspaper "Plain Facts." Bud was currently Vice Chairman of UAW Local 9 Retirees and a trustee of the St. Joseph LaPorte County CAP Council. In addition to being remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather, Bud will be remembered as a strong and faithful advocate of unity and solidarity. He will be missed.

Family and friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. today in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 1827 E. Ireland Rd. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday in the funeral home, with burial to follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Indiana, Inc., 111 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204; or Pet Refuge Inc., 2300 W. 6th St., Mishawaka, IN 46544. Pallbearers will be: Jim Warrner, Todd Bauer, Jeff Luepke, Rob Vaughn, Chris Richards and Mike Richards.