Arthur Charles Richards, Jr., 89, of Seabrook Island, South Carolina, widower of Elizabeth Burnett Russell Richards and husband of Ingrid Nystrom, entered into eternal rest Saturday, January 9, 2016. A graveside service will be held Friday, January 15, 2016, in Johns Island Presbyterian Churchyard, 2550 Bohicket Road, at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC.
Arthur was born July 27, 1926 in Easton, Pennsylvania, son of the late Arthur Charles Richards Sr., and Edna Heard Richards. He attended high school in Warwick, NY, and graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS Degree in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, where he was a member of the Michigan Marching Band under Dr. William D. Revelli. While at Michigan, Arthur was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. He received his Masters Degree in Management Engineering from New York University. Arthur served in the US Army in World War II, and was recalled to serve in the Korean War. He was discharged as a First Lieutenant. Arthur was employed by Alcoa 1950-57 at Edgewater, NJ, and by Olin Mathieson Aluminum at Hannibal, OH 1957-67, serving as Inspection Shipping Superintendent, Planning and Technical Superintendent, Rolling Superintendent and Production Superintendent.
In 1967, Arthut joined Brooks and Perkins in Detroit, MI as Division V.P., and subsequently served as Group V.P., and Executive V.P. In 1988, he retired as President of AAR-Brooks and Perkins. During the mid 1970's, Arthur led the development and sales of the patented Nuclear Shielding Material Boral, utilized in the vast majority of the then free world Nuclear Power Plants. Arthur married Bette, his wife of 58 years, on August 6, 1949. They lived in NJ,TX,W.VA, MI, and IL. They resided part time in Seabrook Island from 1974-1988, then retired to Seabrook Island in that year. During his retirement years, Arthur devoted his time to volunteer work. The Seabrook Island Realty Company presented him with its Directors Award for Outstanding Service in 1994. In 1995, Arthur was recognized by the Town Of Seabrook Island for 8 years of volunteer financial service. Beginning in 1990, Arthur led the reorganization of Charleston Area Interclub Golf, and served as secretary for 6 years. He initiated the motto "Give Back to the Game of Golf" which provided $2,000 annually to the area's Junior Golf Program. Arthur was a member Johns Island Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife Ingrid Nystrom of Vancouver, BC; two daughters, Kathy Elizabeth Richards McEwen of Rochester Hills, MI, and Susan Anne Richards Einheuser of White Lake, MI; son, Arthur C. Richards III., of Concord, NC; and six grandchildren, Ian McEwen, Megan McEwen, Thomas Einheuser, Lauren Einheuser, Arthur C. Richards, IV., and Andrew F. Richards.
Memorials may be made to Johns Island Presbyterian Church, 2550 Bohicket Rd., Johns Island, SC 29455.