Robert Day Richards, Sr, MD

Robert Day Richards, Sr, MD February 6, 1929 – November 10, 2020 Robert Day Richards, Sr. MD of Rock Ridge passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2020. A private graveside service will be held. Robert was Salutatorian at Blacksburg High School in Virginia, from there he went to earn his Bachelor of Science in Biology, with honors and on June 1, 1954 he became a Doctor of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia. In 1954, his internship turned into joining the United States Naval School of Aviation Medicine and served in the US Navy as a US Naval Flight Surgeon. Dr. Richards retired from practicing medicine on October 31, 2000. He had a rewarding job of helping his patients, friends and family. He started his Family Practice in Rock Ridge and moved his Family Practice Center to Wilson in 1990. He then worked at the Tarboro Clinic and finished his career at the Special Care Center in Wilson. Dr. Richards held many positions as Board of Medical Examiners in Virginia and North Carolina and Wilson County and a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner, Medical Student Preceptor, Assistant Professor in Family Practice, American Medical Association, North Carolina Medical Society, Wilson County Medical Society, on staff at Wilson Memorial Hospital. He served on Board of Trustees of Wilson County Technical Institute, Wilson County Board of Education, Member of People to People International, the Friendship Force, and the North Carolina Center for International Understanding where he accompanied delegations to China, India, Nepal, Tibet, Australia, New Zealand, Czechoslovakia, Budapest, Hungry and Austria. Dr. Richards biggest honor was in March 2007 when Governor Mike Easley awarded him the “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Dr. Richards loved flying and aviation, carpentry, mechanics, traveling, American History and World History, stock car racing, boxing, and ACC Basketball. Most of all he loved his family and spending his time with them. Dr. Richards is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Harn Richards of the home; son, Robert Day Richards, Jr. and his wife, Martha of Raleigh; daughter, Lora Lea Richards of Kernesville; grandson, Matthew Landon Richards of Boone; step-children, Chris and Michelle Edwards, Suzi Edwards Bower, and Britt and Cadle Edwards and his step-grandchildren, Will and Megan Edwards and son, Grish; Samantha and Thomas Bower; Reagen, Oscar and Imogen Edwards. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, Anna R. Lackey Medlin and her husband, Tracy, George Greer Richards, III and his wife, Judy, Connie R. Jenkins of Newport News, Virginia, Joan R. Sadler of Cary, David and Penny Richards of Chilhowie, Virginia and Fleet Richards, Jr. of Chase City, Virginia. Also surviving him are many children and grandchildren of the above mentioned and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George G. and Ruth B. Richards of Wilson; brothers, and their wives, George Greer, Jr. and Cordelia Richards of Newport News, Virginia, Fleet and Etta Mae Richards of Chase City, Virginia and his former wife and the mother of his children, Narvie Adams Richards In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Dr. Richard’s memory to Nobles Chapel Baptist Church, 7330 Old Raleigh Road, Sims, North Carolina 27880. Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.