Thomas Royston Richards

Thomas Royston Richards, born September 23, 1941 passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara, CA on October
1, 2024 at the age of 83. He was surrounded by the loving embrace of his beloved wife Sue and his three sons
Scott, Steve and Chip.

Born and raised in Chicago, Tom attended Evanston High School and received a scholarship to Dartmouth
College, where he graduated with an economics degree. He was president of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity
and an honored member of the Sphinx society.

Tom started his career as a representative for Inland Steel in Chicago, and then worked with Northwestern
Mutual for 38 years. He was Managing Partner of the Richards Agency in Denver and northern Colorado,
helping people to establish and grow their careers in the insurance and investment business. He then served
as Vice President of Agency Development at the corporate headquarters. Tom had a passion for studying
and developing leadership principles and touched the lives of so many throughout his career. In his words he
always worked with the goal of leading by showing encouragement, acceptance, support and a spirit of hope
and courage.

Tom had tremendous optimism and enthusiasm for life and a true love of engaging with family, friends, and
colleagues. He lived an honorable, committed and successful life, and those who know him would say that his
greatest achievement by far was his deeply caring connection and soulful encouragement of people. A generous,
empathic listener and someone who impeccably saw and spoke to the highest potential and possibilities of
others, many in his life say they would never have grown into the person they are without his loving, guiding
influence.

Tom was an avid skier, hiker and cyclist at home and around the world, including achieving a coast to coast
ride across the US. He had a love of the mountains, ocean and beauty of nature. He and Sue traveled the world
with friends and family and lived an amazing life together.

Tom (aka “TBG” – “The Big Guy”) was a deeply devoted husband, a kind, wise and adventurous father, a
caring grandfather, an inspired leader, mentor, ally, and loving friend to so many. He lived authentically by his
personal mission statement “To grow and help others to grow. To listen, learn, laugh and love to encourage
myself and others to move toward life.”

Tom was predeceased by his father William Richards, mother Bernice Richards and his sister Billie Richards
Reeves. Tom is survived by his loving wife Susan Tyrrell Richards, his three sons Scott, Steve (Alison) and Chip
(Asheyana) Richards, his five grandchildren Henry, Annabelle, Royston, Chloe and Joshua Richards, his sisters
Laura Richards and Elaine Richards Laky, and his sisters and brothers in law, nieces and nephew and their
families. All will forever remember the love he brought into their lives and his beautiful smile.

The family will be holding a private memorial service and will provide celebration of life ceremony details in
the near future. Memorial donations may be contributed to VNA Health of Santa Barbara in Tom’s memory.