IN MEMORIAM

Dick Richardson

Richard "Dick" James Richardson was born on September 18, 1928, to Harry and Helen Richardson, in Brookfield, Illinois. Dick attended Brookfield High School and DePaul University in the Chicago, IL area. While still in high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps; his unit was stationed in China for three years.

Following his military service, Dick returned to Illinois and began working with the Lyons Band Instrument Company in Chicago. In the early 1960s, he was given the opportunity to manage the vibraphone division of the Musser Company. Dick eventually become president of the company and with his keen insight into the music industry, quickly expanded the marimba and vibraphone product line. This greatly improved the company's reputation which attracted high-profile musicians, performers such as Lionel Hampton and Gary Burton, who would eventually began to endorse Musser products. When Musser merged with Ludwig Industries, Dick stayed on as Ludwig vice president. In the 1980s he sold Musser to Ludwig Drums, then owned by Selmer, and went to work for Danny Henkin heading the Slingerland Drum Company, taking the position as president. Dick also served on the PAS Board of Directors when the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) was first formed.

Dick Richardson passed away on December 31, 2010, with his family at his side.