Bob Richmond, Former Councilman, Dies At 86

Former three-term city councilman Bob Richmond, 86, died Friday at Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Excepting his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Richmond lived in Warsaw all his life.

Richmond was a jazz musician, an avid fisherman, a golfer, a public speaker, a poet, an artist, a carpenter, a sports enthusiast and a community leader.

He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1937.

Richmond played the drums, trumpet and piano for and was the leader of the Bob Richmond Band. Members of the group included Dick Bibler of Milford and Jim Yaezel, of Plymouth and former mayor of that city. Occasionally Jan Lackey would join the group.

Richmond was the host of WRSW's Melody Morgue for many years.

Richmond was classified as a "World Class Speaker" by the Toastmaster International Club. A 12-year member of that organization, he competed in contests around the region and was an enthusiastic local member.

"I had the pleasure of pleasure of serving with Bob on the council from 1984 through 1995," said Mayor Ernie Wiggins this morning. "If Warsaw had a statesman it would have been Bob Richmond. Even after his term as councilman he was very community minded, the spirit of the community.

"We're all going to miss him."

Richmond served on several government boards, retiring from the Warsaw Parks and Recreation board just last year.

He was named the 1993 Man of the Year by the Kosciusko County-Warsaw Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, he was named a Sagamore of the Wabash.

The United Telephone Co. retiree lived in his little house on Lyon Street in Warsaw for more than 60 years.