Frederick ‘Fred’ Forrest Richards Jr. of Sag Harbor Dies October 14

Frederick “Fred” Forrest Richards Jr. of Sag Harbor died on October 14. He was 83.

He was born September 11, 1939, in New York City to Dr. Frederick Forrest Richards Sr. and Dr. Iris Terry Richards of Hempstead.

Richards graduated from Hempstead High School and Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He received Military Technical and Military Management Diplomas and Certificates in all aspects of aviation. He joined the U.S. Air Force as a navigator cadet in Harlingen, Texas on July 6, 1961. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant navigator in 1962. Throughout his military career, he served as navigator, radar intercept officer, pilot, forward air controller, pilot instructor, wing plans officer, flight commander, functional check pilot, wing mobility officer, chief of quality control F-111D and air liaison officer at Camp Red Cloud in Osan, South Korea, and Fort Ord in Monterey County, California.

After 22 years of service in the Air Force, Richards was honorably discharged on October 31, 1981. Highly awarded, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal w/10 OLCs, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/OLC, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and Senior Aircrew Badge.

Following his distinguished military career, he continued his career in aviation with employment at the Federal Aviation Administration (Principal Operations Inspector & Operations - Air Carrier Safety Inspector Typed B-737 & B-727); American Trans Air (First Officer B-727); and Orion Air (Captain B-727, First Officer B-727, and Flight Engineer B-727).

Growing up, Richards, the oldest brother of two, spent summers with his brother, Terry, in Sag Harbor, a beach resort community for African Americans called Azurest founded by their grandmother, Maude K. Terry in 1947. The brothers would walk through the woods using the old Indian trails, enjoying the beach in a welcoming community of their own thanks to their grandmother.

Later in life, Richards would go on to watch his own son and then grandchildren swim on the same beach that his grandmother watched him, family and friends swim as children. This year, Azurest celebrated 75 years of HERstory, CommUNITY, and Family. The Richards family was honored at the event where Richards was instrumental in providing history, stories, and so many memories.

He was married to Brenda Moore from March 21,1964 to October 1976, and from that union they had one son, Frederick F. Richards III, Esq. (Theresa) who they are both so proud of, family said. Richards was especially proud of his grandchildren, Freddy, Lauren, and Alex, his family said, and loved spending time watching them explore their talents. Time spent in Sag Harbor with family and close friends were among his favorites and included lots of beach time, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend parties with Evy’s rice, spaghetti dinners, outings on the boats and bonfires with lots of S’mores and good times. Richards was a dedicated lifetime learner to all things aviation and nautical. Other favorite pastimes centered around spending time on his boat “Sir Frederick.”

Over more recent years, Richards spent his time in Aventura, Florida, and in Sag Harbor. He gave of his time to various organizations including: 100 Black Men, Tuskegee Airman, Inc., National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees, Air Force Association, Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron, American Legion Post 365, Maidstone Club, The Retired Officers Association, California Black Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, National Rifle Association, Civil Air Patrol, US Naval Sailing Association, and The National Association of Black Military Officers.

He was predeceased by his grandparents; Maude K. and Hunter H. Terry; great-aunt Amaza Lee Meredith; his parents Drs. Frederick F. and Iris T. Richards; and sister Iris M. Richards.

He is survived by brother, Terry S. Richards (Evelyn); son Frederick F. Richards III, Esq. (Theresa); grandchildren, Frederick F. Richards IV; Lauren E. Richards and Alexander C. Richards; nephews, Shannon T. Richards (Gail) and Sean S. Richards; grand-nephew Shallah S. A. Richards; grand-niece Synthia T. Richards; great-grand-niece Isabella Berrios; Brenda Richards; and a loving host of cousins, adopted family members, community, and friends.

A memorial will take place on Saturday, October 29, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church Bridgehampton, located at 141 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike Bridgehampton, NY 11932. To access livestream, go to the First Baptist Church Bridgehampton YouTube Channel. A repass will take place immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to 100 Black Men of South Florida, at 100blackmensf.org/donations. Select general and enter “Fred Richards Jr.” in the comment section; or Tuskegee Airmen (tuskegeeairmen.org/support/donate).