Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Bob Richmond was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor bestowed by the governor of Indiana, at Monday's Warsaw city council meeting.
The distinction is a personal tribute given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor.
Gov. Joseph Kernan's letter to Richmond reads: "The term 'Sagamore of the Wabash' was used by northeastern United States native Americans to describe a lesser chief or other great person among the tribe to whom the chief would look for wisdom and advice. You, Bob, certainly fit that description. You have distinguished yourself by your humanity in living, your loyalty in friendship, your wisdom in counsel and your inspiration in leadership."
Richmond, a Democrat, was elected to three terms on the city council, 1984 to 1995, and served 10 years as president of the council. He has been active in the community, serving on the Warsaw Parks Board since 1984 and the Multi-Township EMS Board.
Born July 25, 1918, to Fred and Thelma Richmond, Bob Richmond's family moved to Warsaw from Lebanon, Tenn., in 1915.
He is a 1937 Warsaw High School graduate. He played football and was an avid boxer.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon his return to Warsaw in 1947, he introduced an afternoon radio show on WKAM, known as "Melody Morgue," which featured big band music. From the mid-1950s through the 1960s, Richmond had a Saturday morning, two-hour program on WRSW in addition to a one-hour program on Sunday afternoons called "Twilight and Strings."
During a musical career that spanned 50 years (1947 to 1997), the "Bob Richmond Band" was composed of trios, quartets and quintets, with Richmond playing the drums and trumpet. The band had many engagements at the Warsaw Elks Club and Holiday Inn, in addition to many New Year's Eve and private parties throughout northern Indiana.
For a number of years, he worked at the Warsaw Dry Cleaners owned by Frank Rarick. He was employed by United Telephone Co. from 1972 to 1986.
Richmond was named Man of the Year by the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce in 1993.
The award was presented by Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins, who filled in for State Sen. Kent Adams.
"Isn't that wonderful?" the 84-year-old Richmond said upon receiving the large Sagamore certificate and lapel pin. "Thank you all and thanks to the people of Warsaw. Any good I might have done, I did for the people of Warsaw."
- Michelle Bormet, secretary to the Warsaw Mayor, contributed to this article.
