Orrin Ewart Richards

Obituary

Orrin Ewart Richards was born on November 11, 1949 in Georgetown, Guyana to Leslie Richards and Flossie Richards (née Howard). He had three brothers, Lisle, Gordon Lennox (“Lenny”), and Philip, and one sister, Leslyn. After successfully completing his high school studies at Cambridge Academy, a desire to see what the world had to offer to the “troublesome” one in the family led him to go overseas and pursue an education in the United States. He left Guyana in 1968 and studied computer science in New York City. Realizing that his family could not afford his studies and recognizing the benefits of becoming a member of the armed forces, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1975. This was during the Vietnam War era and he irreverently told the recruiter, “I want to die an American Citizen.” He served two tours in Vietnam where he was a combat infantryman. He returned to the Army in 1978 and served for an additional 10 years. He rose in the ranks from Private (earning him the moniker “the Olde Soldier”) to Sergeant while continuing his computer science studies. He was honorably discharged in March of 1988. Over the course of his Army career he was awarded and decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Three Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal (Four Awards), the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Number 1, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Marksmanship Badge (Rifle), and the Overseas Service Bar.

He met his wife Sandra while living in Harlem and they had four children – Howard, Tamiko, Shane, and Carlos. He later met Gloria, with whom he had one daughter, Renee. His later years were marked by struggles with PTSD, but he nevertheless continued to give his whole heart to his family. He was always willing to help in times of need, whether babysitting for his young grandnieces and nephews, helping friends and family move, or supporting his brother Lenny in keeping up the household. He found enjoyment in festive occasions, often firing up the grill and having backyard BBQs to celebrate major holidays. He became a hero to his family’s younger generations as several followed in his footsteps and joined the military. Perhaps his most important legacy is that his decision to join the Army allowed his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and many extended family members and in-laws to migrate to the United States or become second, third, or fourth generation U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

He was preceded in death by wife Sandra, brother Lisle, sister Leslyn, son Shane, son Carlos, and sister-in-law Patsy.

He is survived by his partner Janet; children, Howard, Tamiko, and Renee; brothers, Lenny and Philip; grandchildren, Stephanie, Sandra, Kathrine, Diana, Reed, Cassandra, Joshua, Ryan; nieces and nephews Brian, Sharol, Shivonne, Joel, Shamelle, Mark, Michelle, Thomas, and Patrick; sisters-in-law Yvette and Wendy; and many beloved great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at Israel Memorial AME Church in Newark, NJ on Saturday, February 3rd at 10:00am. Interment at Brigadier William Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ will be on Monday, February 5th at 12:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed in Orrin’s name to the Vietnam Veterans of America or the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund.