Obituary of Alan J. Richards

Alan J. Richards, 76, of Jamestown, NY, passed away on Thursday, June 24, 2021, in his home following a lengthy illness. He was born March 4, 1945, in Pittsburgh, PA, a son of the late James A. and Elizabeth McMullen Richards. Alan was a graduate of the Shaler High School in Pittsburgh and earned his bachelor's degree from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from October 23, 1967 to October 22, 1970 during the Vietnam War. His tour of duty took him to the Republic of Vietnam from 1968-1969. Alan became a Certified Public Account in 1973 and before his retirement was a self-employed health care financial consultant for the health care industry. He had previously worked as the Chief Financial Officer at the Charles Cole Hospital, now UPMC Cole Hospital, in Coudersport, PA. He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. If you saw a smiling man on Chautauqua Lake driving his 60- year-old wooden boat he had since he was 16 years old, you've met Alan. If you served in Vietnam in 1968-1969, Alan helped you get the supplies needed from the Quarter Master Corp. If a puppet or clown ministry visited your church from 1975-2000, Alan was helping behind the scenes. If you received a Gideon's Bible or were helped by the Resource Center in Jamestown, Alan was involved. If you needed care in Pennsylvania, Alan assisted hospitals in finding federal funds to pay staff and other bills. If you were a boy scout in Glenshaw, PA in the 1970's or 1980's, Alan helped build your pinewood derby car and helped you achieve merit badges. If you attended First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Memorial Park in Allison Park, Coudersport CMA Church or the Busti Church of God in Jamestown, Alan was there worshiping along with you. Alan truly loved the Lord and his family with all his heart. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Sharon A. Muench Richards, whom he married December 23, 1967, two sons, Todd (Julie) Richards of Columbus, OH, Bradly (Carrie) Richards of Pittsburgh, PA, four grandchildren; Samuel, Noah, Emma, and Madison Richards, a sister; Marilyn (John) Cost of Pittsburgh, his great Aunt Jane, his brother-in-law, Michael (Linda) Muench of Pittsburgh and a sister-in-law, Nancy Richards of Gerry, NY Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Richards. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Busti Church of God. Visitation will not be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Alan's name may be made to the Resource Center Memorial Program, 200 Dunham Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701.