Obituary of Jack Wendell Richards

October 13, 1934 – Calgary, Alberta
February 16, 2022 – Strathmore, Alberta

Jack Wendell Richards, beloved husband of Patricia Richards (nee Zimmerman), sadly passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 in Strathmore, Alberta. Jack was 87 years young. 

Jack was born in Calgary, Alberta on October 13, 1934. He lived his entire life in, or just west of, Calgary until mid-2021, when he and Patricia moved to Strathmore, Alberta. He met Patricia in Calgary, after she had moved from her home in Saskatchewan. They married in June of 1966 and went on to celebrate the births of four children. 

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Ruby and Orval Richards; his brother Fred Richards; his sister and brother-in-law, Merle and George Kneiss; and his son Brent Peters. 

Jack is survived by his dear wife of 55 years, Patricia; his children, Wendy Voelk (Robert), Jackie Richards-Pace (Randy), Stephen Richards and Gabrielle Kjemhus (Jeff). Also left to mourn their Grandpa’s passing are Jack’s darling Grandchildren: Katherine, Brock, Elena, and Hudson. Jack will also be greatly missed by his brother Grant Richards; his extended family; his many good friends; and his precious little pup Miley. 

The family would like to acknowledge and thank Jack’s primary physicians, Dr. Ali, Dr. Ma, Dr. Venos and Dr. Heng. They would also like to express their gratitude for the AHS Home Care personnel who were so compassionate and generous in the care they offered Jack when he lived in Bearspaw and also once he had moved to Strathmore. Jack so appreciated the kindness he was shown by all of these healthcare professionals. 

Jack loved sports and was an avid supporter of – and season ticket holder for - the Calgary Flames, the Calgary Stampeders, and the Calgary Cannons. He played hockey as a young man and enjoyed showing his kids the photo of his team that was on the wall for many years at the Stampede Corral. Coaching was a big part of his young life as well, and he often spoke of how he enjoyed coaching kids’ hockey from the Pee Wee to the Juvenile age groups. Jack took great pride in watching two of his daughters play ringette for Calgary, Team Alberta and Team Canada West (Jack was in Finland to watch Team Canada West win the 1992 World Ringette Championships), and he experienced great joy watching his two Grandsons play hockey. Jack’s dedication to his home city was so strong that in his retirement years he volunteered with the highly respected White Hat organization at the Calgary Airport. 

Jack was very passionate about golf. He played the game most of his life and devoted much of himself to the Bearspaw Golf and Country Club (now the Bearspaw Golf Club). Over 30+ years Jack was a firm fixture at the club that he loved so much. Golf was a favourite pastime of Jack’s in Surprise, Arizona where they spent their winters for fifteen years. 

Jack began his career in the electrical industry in 1953, retiring in 1992 as Vice President and General Manager of Westburne Electrical Supply Ltd. He distinguished himself in his work and was the recipient of many awards and honours. None mattered so much to him, however, as the great esteem in which he was held by the people that he worked with over those many decades. 

In 1988, Jack purchased a heavy duty towing company, Buster’s Towing, thereby returning to an industry that his Father had introduced him to in 1948. As a teenager Jack had driven a tow truck for his Dad’s company, Red’s Towing. The purchase of Buster’s Towing in 1988, and then City Wide Towing in 1991 and then Big Hill Towing in 1995 represented the continuation of the legacy begun by “Red” Richards in the late 1940s. It was a source of tremendous pride for Jack that his children went on to own his companies and serve in the towing industry, continuing the work that he so selflessly devoted much of his life to. 

Jack was so much more than can be summed up in a few paragraphs. He was a great and loyal friend to many, he was a devoted husband and Father, an intelligent and deeply kind business owner and a steadfast supporter of his hometown, Calgary. He loved with his whole heart and he never stopped believing in the people and the work that he dedicated himself to. He will be missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. 

A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held at the Bearspaw Golf Club (61 Hamilton Dr, Calgary, AB), on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Jack Richards, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.