Arthur Richards, Fabric Legend, Passes, 76
March 23, 2016
NORWALK, CT (USA) - Arthur E. Richards, President/Owner of Wilton Sales Associates, Inc., a fabric sales agency specializing in imported decorative lines, passed away Friday, March 11 at Norwalk Hospital following a lengthy illness.
He was a pioneer in selling American fabrics overseas and later in his agency, carried several imported lines for sale to American buyers. He was a permanent fixture at many fabric exhibitions, especially Proposte.
Richards was an entrepreneur and had a very successful career in sales and marketing, his early years working for F. Schumacher in N.Y. and then transferring to the West Coast and appointed Sales Manager. After 22 years he moved back to the East Coast and took a position with Spectrum Fabrics as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, reporting to Hy Alpert, the owner.
“Butch” as he was referred to in his younger years was a mastermind on cars and hot rods. Somewhat of a Renaissance man his gifts as an extensive reader, a lover of finance, and a self educated world traveler who covered all corners of the world developing an international clientele.
He was born in Flushing, NY, a son of the late Arthur Richards and Georgianna Katherine McHugh. His son Paul Douglas Richards of Wilton predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Charlotte Engstrom Richards, a daughter, Cynthia Richards Osborne, FL, and three sons, Arthur Edward Richards, Jr. San Jose, CA, Stephen Bradley Richards, wife Kimberly, Oakhurst, CA, Curtis Owen Richards of Ceres, CA. and a sister Lylas Palmeritto, of Laguna Vista, TX.
He has six grandchildren, Tai Rene Richards Booth and husband Kevin, St. Peters, MO, Coby Edward Osborne and wife Emily, Ashland, OR, Caleb Donald Osborne, Reno, NV, Kira Anne Osborne, San Francisco, CA, Cameron Stephen Richards and Emilie Michelle Richards, Oakhurst, CA and newest arrival great grandson Henry James Booth.
He was a pioneer in selling American fabrics overseas and later in his agency, carried several imported lines for sale to American buyers. He was a permanent fixture at many fabric exhibitions, especially Proposte.
Richards was an entrepreneur and had a very successful career in sales and marketing, his early years working for F. Schumacher in N.Y. and then transferring to the West Coast and appointed Sales Manager. After 22 years he moved back to the East Coast and took a position with Spectrum Fabrics as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, reporting to Hy Alpert, the owner.
“Butch” as he was referred to in his younger years was a mastermind on cars and hot rods. Somewhat of a Renaissance man his gifts as an extensive reader, a lover of finance, and a self educated world traveler who covered all corners of the world developing an international clientele.
He was born in Flushing, NY, a son of the late Arthur Richards and Georgianna Katherine McHugh. His son Paul Douglas Richards of Wilton predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Charlotte Engstrom Richards, a daughter, Cynthia Richards Osborne, FL, and three sons, Arthur Edward Richards, Jr. San Jose, CA, Stephen Bradley Richards, wife Kimberly, Oakhurst, CA, Curtis Owen Richards of Ceres, CA. and a sister Lylas Palmeritto, of Laguna Vista, TX.
He has six grandchildren, Tai Rene Richards Booth and husband Kevin, St. Peters, MO, Coby Edward Osborne and wife Emily, Ashland, OR, Caleb Donald Osborne, Reno, NV, Kira Anne Osborne, San Francisco, CA, Cameron Stephen Richards and Emilie Michelle Richards, Oakhurst, CA and newest arrival great grandson Henry James Booth.
