Paul Richards 1923-2005 On November 14, 2005 we are very saddened by the news of the passing of long time Aerodrome alumnus Paul Richards.

POUGHKEEPSIE H. Paul Richards, Aviator, Race Car Driver, Businessman, 82, a longtime resident of Dutchess County, died unexpectedly on Friday, November 11,2005, as a result of an accident at his home. Mr. Richards was born on July 17,1923 in Toronto, Canada to Albert Edgar and Evelyn Galloway Richards. He attended Clarkson College of Technology before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), later transferring to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm during WWII. He later finished his education at the University of Toronto. In 1955, Mr. Richards became partners with Donald Love and Bob Hill to form the Love Oil Corporation, which subsequently merged to become Love/Effron. He retired in 1978.

For 21 years until 1970, Mr. Richards was active in the sports car racing circuit, initially competing in his own Formula 3 cars, where he was twice national champion. In 1959, he was the SCCA national champion and named "SmallCar Driver of the Year" as lead driver for Team Roosevelt. Later he raced on the Briggs Cunningham Racing Team with team drivers Roger Penske, Augie Pabst and Walt Hanskin. In 1960, he won the Sebring 4 Hour, defeating Stirling Moss of Great Britain. Driving over 60 cars during his career, he competed at Daytona, Sebring, Lime Rock and the 24 hours of Le Mans in France. At Watkins Glen, he held the record for the fastest lap in the early 1960's. Starting in the 1950's, Mr. Richards was a contemporary and friend of Cole Palen, where he was one of the original air show pilots at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Due to an engine failure, he crashed the 1918 Sopwith Snipe, now displayed at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. He was a big game hunter and guide, flying his amphibious float plane to and from locations in Alaska and the Yukon. He maintained his pilot's license, flying his Cessna 180 over 34 years, accumulating over 7000 hours. In recent years he has served on the Board of Trustees of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, and was a consultant and Silver Arrow member of the Saratoga Automotive Museum. In addition, he served as vintage race car judge at the Amelia Island (FL) Concourse where he was featured as an "honored guest" at the annual classic in March, 2005. Mr. Richards was married for 38 years to Morag Stewart Richards.

He is survived by 3 children, one son, Stewart and his wife Cynthia, of Poughkeepsie; two daughters, Susan, of W. Boxford, MA, and Skye, of Poughkeepsie; and four grandchildren, Laura, Timothy, Adam and Jonathon. He is also survived by his two brothers, Jeffery and his wife Virginia, and Lorne and his wife Ruth Anne, both of Poughkeepsie; several nieces and nephews and his dachshund, Cozy. A memorial service will be held at the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church, 2381 New Hackensack Road, Poughkeepsie on Saturday, November19, 2005 at 10:00 am. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schoonmaker Funeral Home, 110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saratoga Automotive Museum, 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the charity of your choice If you would like to send the family a condolence, please visit www.HudsonValleyFuneralHomes.com.

Thank you Paul for nurturing the growth of Old Rhinebeck's spirit within all of us.

May you forever fly in fair skies to the sweet sound of wind in the wires. Rest In Peace.

- Aerodrome Volunteer Chris Ford