Kathleen Lynnette Richards

Kathleen (Kathy) Lynnette Richards née Sickbert went to her final rest early in the morning of June 15th, 2024. She succumbed to injuries sustained in a tragic accidental fall and passed in her sleep surrounded by family.

Kathy was born in Wichita, Kansas on December 11th, 1960 to Gary and Jan Sickbert, and grew up in Illinois after the family moved there when she was five years old. The eldest of five children, Kathy was involved in youth theater in grade school, then in speech, drama, and theater in high school. She was involved in several Theater 7 productions and worked on the crews of many more. She enjoyed canoeing and camping and other family events.

It was in Illinois that she met her future husband Bill while they were both working at Kay’s Merchandise, and they started dating when she had to take him out for dinner after he accidentally won a bet on the World Series. They were married in 1982 and went on to have two sons and a daughter while moving about the country.

Finally settling in Ohio, Kathy earned her degree in Microbiology and Bacteriology. She spent some time working as a chemist in the private sector before beginning work in Environmental Compliance for the City of Akron, where she remained for twenty years until her passing. During that time she became a member of the Ohio Water Environment Association where she served as a Director for the Board of Certification and spent time as President of the NESOWEA Executive Committee.

Kathy enjoyed gardening and bird feeding/watching, both of which tied into her great respect and love for the environment. She had a fierce sense of responsibility for the protection of the land in which we inhabit, and brought that care and devotion to her work every day. She also enjoyed needlework and made many personal and heartfelt gifts for her loved ones over the years.

She loved the Chicago Cubs, a good bourbon, and going to concerts, all experiences which she was thrilled to share with her friends and family.

Her impact will be felt long after she is gone, and the world can only mourn her loss.

She is preceded in death by her father, Gary Sickbert. She is survived by her mother Jan Sickbert, her brother Tim Sickbert, her sister Betsy Hamer and husband Kevin, her sister Cindy Blobaum and husband Philip, her sister Amy Jerabek and husband Gary, her son Ben Richards and wife Allie, her son Bryan Richards and wife Liz, her daughter Cory Richards, and countless friends and family whose lives were brightened by the fortune of having had the opportunity to be affected by her incredible presence.

A tree planting and celebration of life in her honor are in the planning stages and will likely take place in the spring of 2025. A link is provided here for those wishing to receive updates as they become available.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ojVyW3t7YBBKPhqVhDZnKlaG4EQOMLpDUiE7yDEsu5c/edit?gid=0#gid=0

In lieu of flowers those wishing to commemorate her life at this time may feel free to consider a donation to the local non-profit radio station, The Summit FM, which she supported and loved through her time here. These donations can be made by visiting https://www.akroncf.org/giving/give-now/ and selecting The Friends of the Summit Endowment Fund as the recipient.