Carson City loses local businessman, entrepreneur icon Garth Richards
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 09/14/2021 - 1:59pm
We are sad to report the passing of Garth Richards. A native of Carson City, Garth and his wife Joanie, strongly believed in giving back to the community that has given so much to them both.
A respected and successful businessman and entrepreneur, Mr. Richards died on Sunday, Sept. 12, a day before his 86th birthday. He gave back to his community in many ways, mostly through financial contributions since, as he put it, “I am a workaholic and don’t have the time to volunteer but want to be involved.”
The plight of homeless veteran’s concerned this military veteran who served in the 1950’s. In 2013, he donated a 1.7-acre parcel in north Carson City worth just over $900,000 to be used as a site to build 39 HUD apartment units for homeless and low-income veterans that are fully furnished.
As a thank you by the City, the new apartments were named Richards Crossing and were open for move in on April 12, 2017. He also held many fund-raisers at his Silver Oak Golf Course to benefit veterans over the years. Since September of 2007, he raised $75,000 to benefit the 30 families of Nevada soldiers who lost their lives fighting in Iraq.
The Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada was near and dear to his heart. Over 10 years ago, he donated land in his Silver Oak Development to the Club to sell to raise funds to build a new club. That lot raised $1 million for the Club giving them the impetus needed to begin planning their new building.
He championed Western Nevada College through the raising of dollars to build a Mechanical Restoration Shop. A classic car aficionado, he donated a classic car to be restored. He also has donated about $25,000 in cash.
Because his wife Joanie was so involved with the Carson-Tahoe Auxiliary and managed the hospital gift store for many years, he had donated at least $100,000 for various hospital fund-raising causes.
Garth Richards: Family man, entrepreneur, civic leader, philanthropist. He will be missed.
