Charles Edwin Richards, Jr.

Charles Edwin Richards Jr. {Charlie} died on September 17, 2017 in Sarasota, FL at the age of 83. Charlie is survived by his sister Claire Phillips and brother-in-law Maurice Phillips of Waynesville, NC Children: Charles E "Rick" Richards of Myakka City, FL., Daughter in Law Robyn V Richards, Grand Children: Colin Richards, Jordan Richards, Kyle Richards, and Emily Richards. Timothy Richards (Deceased), Alan Richards of Lake Placid, FL. Daughter in Law Sheila Richards, Grand Children Brittany Huyck McGlade, his Great-grandson Torin McGlade. Joshua Richards, Ryan Richards, Rebecca "Becky" Norwood of Tampa, FL. Grand Children: Aron Norwood. Cousins Gnann Moser of Valdosta Ga., and Lawrence Alvarez of Sewanee, TN. Suzanne Jacoby of Kingman, AZ. Charlie was born on July 22, 1934 in Jacksonville, FL. He graduated from Mainland High School at Daytona Beach, FL. in 1952. He graduated from the University of Florida majoring in Electrical Engineering with Honors in 1957. Upon graduation he served in the US Army in Korea & Japan until 1960 where he met his Wife Dorothy "Didi" of McKeesport, PA., who was serving in the Red Cross. After his return to Daytona Beach they were married and Charlie began his employment at Florida Power and Light. During his tenure with FP&L Charlie was lead members of the team on the pursuit and acquisition of the W. Edwards Deming Prize for quality. Charlie retired from FP&L as Western Division Manager in 1990 after being offered a position of Vice President, to which he replied "I aint movin to Miami for God or Nobody" . Charlie was an excellent Father always providing for his family, guiding and encouraging his children to pursue their goals. Charlie excelled in everything he did and was a driving force in is efforts to better the community, help people and make the world a better place. While raising his young family, dealing with a child with special needs, managing the Western division of FP&L and actively participating in all of the community service, Charlie attended the Program for Management Development-Harvard University PMD in 1973 and graduated from the US Army Command and General Staff College in 1978. Throughout his life Charlie possessed a strong sense of honor, integrity beyond reproach and community service, which he conveyed to his children. He was passionate about helping people and making the world a better place. He was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in 1988 where he served until 1996. While serving as a commissioner he accomplished many great things for Sarasota and Southwest Florida. One of the most noteworthy is his creation of the Peace River Manasota Water Authority which provides water for the area. Charlie's achievements and dedication to the community were remarkable. He gave of himself beyond measure and rejected recognition for his accomplishments. Charlie retired as a Colonel, Reserve Chief of Staff-U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command in 1994 in order to focus his energies on his local community. After losing his wife and Son in a tragic accident in 1997, Charlie along with Bob Johnson founded Coalition to Assist Supported Living, Inc. In 1999, Charlie partnered with Scott Eller, of Renaissance Manor. At the time, both agencies were providing supportive housing for fifty people. With Charlie's drive, passion and tenacity, he expanded their merged corporation into six counties which now provides housing to over 600 people. Along with this, Charlie and Carl Penxa of the Loveland Center had a dream of developing a housing community for people who have a developmental disability. This vision led to a successful partnership with Loveland Center and CASL that now operates the Loveland Village in Venice, FL serving 94 people. This community is the first like it in the state of Florida and has set a new standard for affordable housing for disabled people. While Charlie was not one for having his name on any of the buildings he helped create, his heart and legacy is embedded in each one. CASL now serves approximately 600 clients who have no or very low level incomes in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. As of January 2016, CASL inc has acquired and manages 379 houses, duplexes, triplexes, quadraplexes and condos in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Alachua, Lee, and Collier counties http://www.caslinc.org/ https://youtu.be/TWKjYnEcp_A Charlie was known for his dogged determination to create new ways for people with disabilities to live independently in the community. When bureaucracy would rear its head, his response would be, ‘tell me where it says this cannot be done. Don't tell me what I cannot do, tell me what I have to do!" With that attitude, Charlie created a way for people with disabilities to live independently in the home or neighborhood of their choice. This may be Charlie's greatest legacy. Not only was he a second father to Scott Eller, but also the greatest mentor and friend. While Charlie is no longer with us, his spirit and legacy will always be imbedded in CASL. A funeral is scheduled for 9:30 Am at Sarasota National Cemetery 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 with a reception to follow at Hyatt Regency 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Charlie's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to CASL at 1 N Tuttle Av Suite 5 Sarasota FL 34237. CHARLES E. RICHARDS, JR., Born DOB: 7/22/34, Jacksonville, Fl. Deceased 9/17/17 EDUCATION: Graduate: University of Florida, BS Electrical Engineering/Honors, 1957 Program for Management Development-Harvard University, 1973 Graduate: US Army Command and General Staff College, 1978 PROFESSIONAL: Division Manager, Florida Power and Light Co, Retired 1990 Colonel, Reserve Chief of Staff-U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, Retired, 1994 County Commissioner, Sarasota County, Fl. 1988-1996 COMMUNITY ACTIVITY: President, Daytona Beach Jaycees, 1968-1969 Director, Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce Founder/President, Volusia Assn for Children with Learning Disabilities Board of Visitors, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University President, Daytona Beach Chapter- University of Florida Alumni Assn. Chairman 1971 Cancer Crusade, Daytona Beach Treasurer, Daytona Beach Chapter of American Red Cross Director, United Way, Lee County Advisory Board Salvation Army, Lee County Elder, Presbyterian Church- Ruling Elder, Clerk of the Session, Sunday school teacher, S.S. Superintendent, Chmn. Building Comm., Chmn. Annual Pledging Comm., Chmn. Property Comm. President, Sarasota Chapter Reserve Officers Association, 1978-1980, 1987-1988 Board of Directors, Gulf Coast Heritage Assn., 1978-1981 President, Sarasota Gulf Coast Kiwanis, 1980-1981 Chairman, Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, 1976-1980 Chairman, Select Education Committee, Sarasota Co. School Board Chairman, Facilities Committee (2 ½ years), Sarasota Co. School Board Chairman, Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce, 1985 Executive Board, Sunny Land Council, Boy Scouts of America Chairman, Florida Chamber's Southwest Florida Regional Council Sarasota County Republican Executive Committee Mental Health Association Advisory Board Consortium for Children and Youth Advisory Board Sarasota Boys Club Advisory Board Sarasota County Commission, 1988-1996 Vice Chairman, Metropolitan Planning Organization, 1992 Sarasota Junior League Advisory Board President, Sunny Land Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1991-1992 Board of Directors, Florida Association of Counties, 1991 Chair, Human Infrastructure and Criminal Justice Policy Development Committee, Florida Association of Counties, 1991 Steering Committee on Environmental, Energy and Land Use, National Association of Counties, 1991-1995, Co-Chair-1995 Sustainable Development Task Force, National Association of Counties Chairman, Pea

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Charles Edwin Richards, Jr.

July 22, 1934 - September 17, 2017