Ron Richard, a former Joplin mayor who also had the distinction of being the only lawmaker in Missouri history to be elected both Speaker of the House and Speaker pro tem of the Senate, has died. He was 75 years old.
His death drew an outpouring of condolences and support Friday from political leaders both local and state, and from the Republican and Democratic parties, who said Richard was a unique lawmaker.
In a statement on Twitter, Republican Gov. Mike Parson said: “Missouri has lost a strong leader and dedicated public servant with the passing of Ron Richard. Ron was one of the few great men who served as Senate President of Missouri and speaker of the Missouri House during his career of public service.”
In a separate statement on Twitter, Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe said: “Few elected officials have been a more effective advocate for Missourians than Ron. Our state was fortunate to have his steady and consistent leadership. I also consider blessed to call him a friend and I will miss him dearly. Ron taught me more about responsible leadership and public service than anyone else at the Capitol. He was a source of wisdom, advice and counsel that cannot be replaced” .
The Missouri Republican Party said in a statement on Twitter: “Missouri has lost one of our best legislators. … Ron Richard was a stalwart leader. He knew how to maintain a productive legislature for the benefit of his fellow Missourians. Ron Richard he brought a lifetime of experience gained as an educator and business executive to public service.”
Nick Myers, chairman of the state Republican Party and longtime leader of the Newton County Republicans, called Richard “one of the greatest legislators” Missouri has ever had.
“Ron was very helpful to the party, but it transcends the party,” he said in an interview with the Globe.
Myers also pointed to Richard’s achievement of being the only Missouri lawmaker to hold top offices in both the House and Senate. The top leadership positions in each chamber have a direct influence on what legislation is introduced each session, as they dictate which bills go to which committee and often have control over which legislation is heard on the floor.
“That was because he knew how to keep order in a legislative body and do things that benefited all Missourians,” Myers said.
Dean Van Galen, president of Missouri Southern State University, where Richard served as a member of the Board of Governors, said in a statement: “Senator Ron Richard dedicated his life to public service and is one of the most distinguished graduates university honorees. In recognition of his public service, including leadership in the Missouri House and Senate, he received the university’s inaugural Richard M. Webster Medallion in 2016. Ron Richard was a champion of all college life and leaves a tremendous legacy at Missouri Southern.”
“Unshakable” beliefs.
Politicians from both parties praised Richard for his work ethic and dedication to causes he believed in.
Former Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican, said, “Ron Richard was a good friend who truly loved Missouri. This is a loss for our state.”
Former Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, said: “Honesty and toughness can still take you a long way in America. Ron Richard rose to the top of power by living that way. A leader for the ages.”
Charlie Davis, Jasper County Clerk and former Republican state representative, said Richard commanded respect from everyone because he was “unwavering” in his beliefs.
“Everything he did, he did with the belief that it was best for Joplin, southwest Missouri and our state,” he said in an interview with the Globe. “There were people, of course, who didn’t like his politics, but it was undeniable that his commitment was to bettering our community.”
Davis said Richard was “well-liked” throughout Missouri, but never made time for colleagues in his corner of the state.
“When I first announced that I was going to run (for the Missouri House), Sen. Richard was one of the first people I talked to,” Davis said. “When I was elected, the door to his office was always open to me personally because he was interested in seeing me succeed in the Legislature. He worked very hard to support me as a person.”
background
Richard began his public service career in 1990 when he was elected to the Joplin City Council and then to Mayor in 1994. Richard then won a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002, where he served four terms and was elected Speaker of the House in January 2009. After his time in the House, Richard moved to the upper house, serving in the Senate from 2010 to 2018, where he was elected Speaker pro tem in 2015.
Richard earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Missouri Southern State University and a master’s degree in history from Missouri State University in Springfield.
