Sam Richesin passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019.  He lived a long life staying strong to the end.  Sam started out with a strong will to live as he was born March 19, 1923 at home, two months premature, without a doctor present, during a blizzard.  Sam was born in Elwood, MO just a few miles west of Springfield.  He was the youngest of four children born to Floyd and Gertrude Richesin.  The family had a small farm and Sam shared a lot of memories of growing up there. He talked about spraying the apple orchard when locusts swarmed all the crops.  He told of hobos or poor, jobless men begging for food at the back door.  His father always gave them a job to do and a meal.  Maybe that is where Sam learned about kindness and hard work.

Sam went to Willard High School where he played sports.  He liked basketball but he loved baseball!  He met his future wife, Barbara (Boots) Rogers at Willard High. After high school he went to college where he continued to be good at sports.  Then, Sam signed up to be in the US Marine Corps.  He trained at Camp Pendleton in California.  Sam and some of his fellow Marines were extras in a war movie!  Sam fought in the South Pacific during WW II from 1943 to 1945.  He was proud to serve his country, but never considered himself a hero.  Sam achieved the rank of corporal.

Sam went home to Springfield to marry Boots and begin his baseball career.  Sam played for the New York Yankees organization in the minor league.  He played in Joplin and in South Dakota for three years.  He decided that he was not fast enough to play in the minors any longer and went to work for Bell telephone company.  Sam and Boots had two children--Rick and Debbie.  Sam went to work at the Springfield Health Department as a dairy inspector in 1952.  He was "back home" on the dairy farms. Sam loved baseball and also fishing, hunting, camping and golf.  He was a great husband and wonderful father.  He loved his six grandchildren and spent a lot of time playing with them and teaching them how to play ball.

After retirement Sam volunteered with Meals on Wheels.  He and Boots loved to spend time in Branson, MO.  When Boots became ill Sam took care of her.  When she went to live in the nursing home he was there every day.  He was a great example of a devoted husband.  Sam made friends wherever he went.  Steak 'n Shake was his favorite dining establishment.  The staff all welcomed him by name every day.  Later, right before his 90th birthday, Sam sold his home and moved into the Cambridge Senior Living home.  He enjoyed more than 6 years there.  Sam was a member of Elwood United Methodist Church his entire life.

Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara J. Richesin; brother, Max Richesin; grandson, Aaron Earnhardt; sister, Dorothy Clarke, and his parents, Floyd and Gertrude Richesin.

Sam is survived by a sister, Mary Ann Irick of Denver; daughter, Deborah Earnhardt of Pleasant Hope; son, Rick Richesin of Florida; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Sam was tough and endured a lot, but he was also gentle and kind.  He always had a smile and a joke.  We will miss him.

Funeral services will be at 12:30 pm Thursday, November 21, 2019 in Gorman Scharpf Brentwood Chapel with The Reverend Kevin Cawley officiating.  Burial will follow in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 11:30 until service time Thursday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 3645 South Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807.