VERO BEACH — Dan (Danforth) K. Richardson, who died last week at Indian River Estates at the age of 95, was a giant of philanthropy whose gentle guidance helped shape the community he loved.
Forever remembered for his warmth, generosity and eternal optimism, Richardson’s reach extended into all aspects of Vero Beach and Indian River County via the Richardson Family Foundation and through his many leadership roles.
A decades-long leader in the citrus industry, Richardson was a longtime Chairman of Gracewood Groves and Gracewood Fruit Company, which he joined in 1946. He was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 1992.
But Richardson was ever so much more than citrus.
“Dan was a business partner and friend, before he became my father-in-law,” remembered Carter Hopkins, who married Richardson’s youngest daughter, Susan. “He was a mentor in many ways, and always seeking the best in those involved with him. During a difficult period, I remember Dan holding fast to his optimism and saying, ‘We will be better people for this’.”
“He was an exceptional gentleman and a gentle man,” said Rene Perez, who worked with Richardson for 53 years. “He was a special person, a wonderful employer and very kind and generous to the community.”
Middle daughter Nancy Luther was another who remarked on that quality, saying, “Dad was a very gentle man with a kind heart, always wanting to make things better for everyone.”
Richardson was involved with early fundraising campaigns for Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and served many years on the Indian River Medical Center (then Indian River Memorial Hospital) Foundation.
In 1961, Richardson was the first board president of the United Way of Indian River County (then United Fund) and he was also active with the Indian River Chamber of Commerce.
But his true passion was as a tireless advocate for education; he had an ardent desire to afford students the resources and skills necessary to succeed in life.
“He was a doer; when he saw a situation, he would roll up his sleeves and go to work,” said Freddie Woolfork, Gifford Youth Activity Center Director of Public Relations & Facilities Operation, who was in school during the tumultuous desegregation years when Richardson served as chairman of the Indian River County School Board.
“His thing was never, ‘Can we do it?’ It was always, ‘When are we going to start doing it?’”
It was about that time that Richardson, with members of the Vero Beach Rotary Club, founded the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County (then Dollars for Scholars).
More than 2,700 students have been the beneficiaries of that vision, with $9.1 million in scholarships awarded since the initial $500 scholarship in 1965.
In 1991 Richardson, Alma Lee Loy and the late Marian Block established the Education Foundation of Indian River County, which has since contributed more than $2 million through its core programs into the local education community.
“Dan never stopped helping an organization; his active life of community service touched lives in every arena,” said Alma Lee Loy. “As my first mentor, Dan allowed me to assist and be a part of many forward actions to build a better community, and he was a special friend.”
The seeds of change planted during his years on the school board blossomed in 1996, when Richardson and fellow visionaries, Dr. A. Ronald Hudson and the late Dr. William Nigh, working with the Progressive Civic League of Gifford, opened the doors to the Gifford Youth Activity Center.
Ten years later, the GYAC created the Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award, naming him as its first recipient.
“He was like a father figure and a mentor to me,” said Woolfork, adding that Richardson hired him as GYAC was being formulated because he had the gift of gab, knew the community and understood the vision.
“He always said that you can accomplish things when you work and pray together. He used to say that whenever people were at odds, that if they sat and talked, they could find that middle ground.”
George Kahle, former business partner and husband of eldest daughter Sandy, had a similar remembrance, saying, “In the 50 years I knew him he was always happy and positive. Even in his last weeks and days I never saw him awake without a smile. He taught us that without being asked you should always meet a person way beyond half way.”
Richardson also played a major role in the formation of Indian River State College; the Richardson Center on Vero’s Mueller Campus bears his name.
He served on the board of trustees of Indian River Junior College and made the first contribution to the Indian River Community College Foundation. Richardson’s entrepreneurial spirit was recognized by the Lambert Foundation and IRCC Foundation as the first recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year award.
With fondness, Perez remembers Richardson as being equally extraordinary as a family man, supported by his wife, Marjorie Hopwood Richardson, who predeceased him in 2009, and three daughters Sandy Richardson Kahle, Nancy Richardson Luther and Susan Richardson Hopkins, in all that he did.
“He set up a wonderful example for anyone to follow.”
“Dad was a peacemaker and very accepting of everyone. He had a wonderful, positive approach to life,” said daughter Susan Hopkins. “He always found balance and time to enjoy his family, friends, work, and philanthropy.”
In brief, Sandy Kahle remembers, “Dad was always kind, generous and joyful, and just plain fun to be with.”
The family has planned private services.
