Dr. Richards was born in rural Gilmer County, West Virginia in 1933. He is married to Patricia Ann Royster. They have two sons and three granddaughters.
He is graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Agricultural Education and taught high school agriculture and biology for two years. He then earned the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Agronomy (Soil Science) from The Ohio State University.
After a lengthy career in research and technical service in the fertilizer and agricultural chemical industry he became Head of the Department of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Director of the Research and Extension Center located on that campus. He acquired an auto parts store in Marshall and moved there in 1990.
He is a member of Missouri Writers' Guild and past president of Marshall Writers' Guild. He served 14 years as treasurer of the Saline County Republican Committee, helped organize the Pachyderm Club there and served as president of the Missouri Pachyderm Federation.
He has researched family genealogy since 1963 and has published five books on history and genealogy. His revolutionary ancestor is Jonathan Hughes whose commission as Ensign was signed by Thomas Jefferson.

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