Steven David Richards

Steven David Richards 71, of Homedale, Idaho, died Saturday, October 27, 2018 at home. He was born July 1, 1947 in Morgantown, West Virginia to Ernest and Elinor Richards. His childhood years were spent growing up on his grandparent’s farm, the Anderson Farms. He attended church at Harner Chapel, adjacent to the farm. His parents moved to Los Cruses, New Mexico when he was 12 years old. He rode Palomino horses that a friend owned and received several awards for his horsemanship. The family relocated to Amherst, Massachusetts for employment and Steve enjoyed canoeing on the rivers and snow skiing in Killington, Vermont. He graduated from Amherst High School and attended Stockbridge School of Agriculture with an associate degree in Animal Science. He attended the University of Massachusetts and received a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Steve decided to drive long haul trucks to see the USA. He received a CDL and was employed by Willis Shaw Express. His freight stop in Boise, Idaho was a turning point in his life. He loved the Boise Mountains and the spacious country side. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972. His basic training was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He contracted pneumonia during that time. He was a clerk for a time, since he could type and was then sent to West Point Military Police duty. Steve was honorably discharged and returned to Idaho. Dee and Carmen Wolfkiel sold him his first 17 head of Holstein cows and he began his dairy life. Steve purchased more cows and was joined by his brother Tom and combined the cows to work and rented a farm in Notus from the Kaumbahs in 1976. In July 1977, Steve met Mary Ann Callaway and they were married three weeks later at the Deer Flat Free Methodist Church. In January 1978, they purchased the Earl and Ruby Scott Farm and began their dairy farm. Tom Richards sold them his interest in his cows and returned to Massachusetts. In 1982, Steve and Mary Ann celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary with a flight in a C-182 to McCall for lunch. The flying adventure began. Steve bought a Cessna 172 and received his pilot’s license and life was fun. He flew to the Oregon Coast for lunch and back home between chores. The grandkids started arriving, so Steve purchased a larger plane. They flew to Disneyland, skiing in Taos, New Mexico, Mt. Bachelor and Brundage in McCall. When he was not flying his plane, he took commercial flights to visit countries around the globe and meet the local people. The Wall Street Journal was the source of his political news. He enjoyed classical music and theater productions. One of their favorites was “Annie Get Your Gun” with Bernadette Petters. Steve commented a few days ago, “What a life we’ve had, and to come from humble beginnings.” Rest in peace Steve, your battles have been replaced with eternal rest. Your memory is with us forever. Steve is survived by his wife Mary Ann, daughter Ginger (H) Hirata, step-daughter Diane (Tom) Pegram, stepson Lonnie Humphrey. Grandchildren: Jessika, Keley, Jordan, Keera, Nicole, Delora, Luke and Jake, and 7 great-grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 3:00 pm at the Homedale Presbyterian Church.