Background
Richards was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 9, 1909.
Richards was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 9, 1909.
He also had a term as president of his Winnipeg Rowing Club. By career he was a stockbroker and he served in the Canadian Army during World World War World War II He was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1988. In addition to rowing, he was athletically involved in cross-country skiing, golfing, ice hockey, sailing, and squash.
In 1926 he began a career as a stockbroker and, during World World War II, he served in the Canadian Army, eventually reaching the rank of Captain.
He then attempted to qualify for the double sculls event at the 1932 Summer Olympics with Theo Dubois, but they were defeated in the trials by Noël de Mille and Ned Pratt of the Vancouver Rowing Club. Richards" first post-war competition came as the stroke of a Canadian eights crew in an inter-services regatta in September 1945.
Soon after, he began serving as president of the Winnipeg Rowing Club. During his career as a stockbroker, Richards served as a manager of Richardson"s Securities from 1958 until his retirement in 1974.
He also served as head of the Winnipeg Stock Exchange and the Lake of the Woods Yacht Club and was board chairman of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
In November 1988 he was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. He died on May 19, 1989 at Winnipeg"s Heath Sciences Centre. The R. West. Richards Society, which recognizes the top achievers at Richardson"s Securities, was named in his honor.
They defended their crown the following year and were selected to represent Canada at the 1930 British Empire Games, where they captured a gold medal.