L. Bruce Richmond

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE RICHMOND DIES L. Bruce Richmond, 87, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2007, at home, surrounded by his family. Bruce was born on October 17, 1920, to John and Dottie Richmond, in Johnson City, Illinois. He married LaCleeta Patterson on January 18, 1940. She died in December 4, 1999. He later married Elizabeth (Rose) Fear. Mr. Richmond served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was a ship painter at Pearl Harbor. His artistic ability led him to learn the trade of sign-painting while in Hawaii, where he also began painting portraits. He later settled in Murphysboro with his family where he was owner-operator of Artcraft Sign Service for over 30 years. He was active in politics for most of his life, as an alderman in Murphysboro for many years, and Mayor of Murphysboro in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1974, he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly, where he served in the House of Representatives with distinction until his retirement in 1993. As legislator, he was the primary person in the House who sponsored the annual appropriations bill for SIU, and funding for SIU projects. He was the original sponsor and supporter for state funding for the SIU Business Incubator, now known as the Dunn-Richmond Center. He was also chief sponsor of bills obtaining funding for the renovation of Davies Gym, Touch of Nature, Pulliam Hall, and many other projects at SIU. In addition, he was able to bring funding for many projects in southern Illinois, as chairman of the Agriculture Committee and member of Appropriations. For many years, he lovingly cared for his wife, LaCleeta, who was stricken with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and his son, Randall, who passed away in 1983, at the age of 40. Mr. Richmond was an avid golfer and fisherman. He was always active in the Elks Club, where he served as State President in 1963, and was a national ritual judge and officer for several years after that. During his retirement years, he continued honing his artistic skills, painting dozens of still life animals and portraits. He also did walnut relief carving of birds and animals. In the late 1990s, his artwork was displayed at an exhibit at the Museum Gallery at SIU-C. Besides his wife, LaCleeta, and son, Randall, he was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and three brothers. In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, Mr. Richmond leaves a son, Michael, and his wife Linda, of St. Louis; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Richard Morris, of Murphysboro; stepson Kevin Fear, of Cambria; stepdaughter Mary George, of Chester; two grandchildren, Amy Cheatham, of Springfield, IL, and Sarah Richmond of St. Louis; one step-granddaughter, Emma, of Chester; two great grandsons, Noah Cheatham, of Springfield, IL, and Jacob Thoene of St. Louis, MO; and many nieces and nephews. His wisdom, dry wit, and quiet strength will be missed by all who knew him.

L. Bruce Richmond

October 17, 1920 - April 13, 2008