Rhodelle Richards
RICHARDS, Rhodelle M.
Our beloved sister, Rhodelle Marie Richards, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2024. Rhodelle was born in Columbia, Missouri on December 20, 1948, the second of nine children of Maurice and Pauline Richards. Dr. Richards moved his family to Santa Barbara when Rhodelle was three years old. Although Rhodelle did a fair amount of traveling in her life, Santa Barbara has always been her home.
Rhodelle attended Marymount School for Girls in Santa Barbara with her other sisters. It is fair to say that the nuns were bewildered by this beautiful, strong, independent-minded student. When she graduated 12th grade the nuns breathed a collective sigh of relief. Rhodelle was a very good student, and left the school with her own indelible mark.
It is difficult to summarize this amazing woman’s life: Rhodelle’s kindness and thoughtfulness was evident in all her interactions whether it be personal or business. She had the unique gift of attracting people wherever she was and whatever she did. Rhodelle was bigger than life!
Rhodelle’s charismatic personality and innate business intelligence contributed to her success as a General Partner of Richards Investment Company which she launched with her father, Maurice Richards, and her brother, Stanton Richards. For over 30 years the company maintained an enviable, highly respected reputation in the business community. Rhodelle’s personal style of working with people paid off greatly. No matter how far she had to travel, she would meet with the managers and staff of each newly acquired mobile home park. She developed a personal
connection and left the managers with the confidence that Richards Investment Company genuinely cared for their employees.
Athletically, Rhodelle knew no bounds. Whether playing badminton, tennis or volleyball on the beach, she was a superb athlete. Once again, her unique, beautiful personality opened doors that no one else could do. A perfect example was when Rhodelle was playing beach volleyball and noted that there was a team of men that played every day at noon called “the Nooners.” Rhodelle was confident of her own ability and saw no reason why she could not join them, so she lobbied hard to do so. Allowing a woman to join the all-male ‘nooners’ club was a big request, but when
they finally allowed her to play, they never let her go. As a matter of fact, she graced a full page in the Santa Barbara News Press reaching for a ball in a heated match in her yellow bikini. Needless to say, Rhodelle won the
point and her News Press picture became locally famous.
We would be remiss in describing Rhodelle’s beautiful life if we did not include her passionate love for her dogs. Through most of her life, she had one particular dog who truly became her “best friend.” Rhodelle would not stop at anything to make sure her dog lived the “luxurious life he deserved.” Chivas was a cockapoo who was at the top of her list. Named after her father’s favorite drink, “Chivas” was at Rhodelle’s side for his
entire life.
However, Rhodelle’s fierce love and unconditional love for her family will be her legacy. Each sibling has special memories where Rhodelle reached out to them when they were feeling vulnerable, fearful or misunderstood. Rhodelle would listen, comfort and if necessary give advice, but throughout it all she let her siblings know that she was there for them no matter what. Rhodelle has left a hole in this family’s heart; she is deeply missed and loved. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and unforgettable memories. We are comforted by the fact that she is in heaven with the Lord and her parents and probably organizing volleyball games!
Rhodelle is survived by Stanton Maurice Richards (Christiane), Shandra Frances Campbell (Ted), Lisa Anne Cvach (Steve), Shelley Therese Tushar (Henry), Derek Joseph Richards (Debbie), Garth Anthony Richards, Valerie Joan Daniels (David), Christina Cecilia Richards and Joshua David Richards (Ashlee) and a host of wonderful nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Rhodelle was preceded in death by her father, Maurice F. Richards and her mother, Pauline Marie Richards.