Bernard Richards' Obituary
Bernard Richards 1942-2022
Bern Richards, age 79, of Medford NJ peacefully ended his Earth Walk on March 5, 2022 surrounded by family and an abundance of love.
Bern grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson NY where he was a respected athlete. He was selected to receive the Presidents Award for Physical Fitness which was presented to him at West Point and later was inducted into the Hasting High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bern’s love of the outdoors prompted him to attend the School of Forestry at Paul Smiths College in the Adirondacks. He went on to continue his study in forestry at NC State.
In 1965 Bern enlisted in the Air Force and was sent to Syracuse University where he studied Russian and served as a Russian linguist in Turkey with a top secret clearance.
When his military service ended he settled in NC and opened Four Winds, a shop dedicated to the teachings of Native American culture and tradition. He began his true calling and passion in life at that time, traveling to see the beauty of nature across the country and living in a cabin in the mountains of NC for two decades. He was introduced to energy healing and began working with feathers, gourds and beads to create beautiful works of art. Friends and strangers found him to be a comforting presence and the doors opened for him to begin mentoring and at times just listen.
Eventually Bern moved north to NY where he worked at Green Chimneys school for emotionally troubled youth for 5 years. He worked one on one teaching Native tradition, building a Tipi and also working in animal assisted therapy.
Bern went on to concentrate solely on healing work, assisting clients through feather healing and Medicine Card work. The beauty of his feather craft grew stronger and eventually began to support his journey. In addition, his love for music was profound and woven throughout his work. Bern was a huge presence in the lives of many who he assisted in life transformations and teaching a deep respect and love of nature. Chris Manning, a dear friend wrote, “Bern showed me at a crucial time to live poetically; he showed me the spiritual magic that exists beneath pragmatic surfaces, where reality and dreams become one. Shapeshifters with the ability to fluctuate between those worlds”.
He was teaching right to the end when he peacefully surrendered to his next magnificent journey.
Bern is survived by his wife/partner of 25 years, Gail Keating, of Medford NJ, his son Bernard Jr. “Rick” and his wife Chris of Raleigh, NC, his grandsons Will, Sean and Matthew of NC, his niece Donna Milazzo and her husband Vinny of Brewster, NY, their children, Anthony, Nick and Marissa, Gail’s daughter Alexandra Nicolaides, her husband Nick and their son Jake, all of Marlton NJ. He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Katherine Richards and his brother Arthur Donald Richards “Donny”.
Per Bern’s request there will be no service. He has asked that if you would like to honor him, please “Take a walk amongst the trees”.
Monetary donations may be made to:
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford NJ
Cedarrun.org
Or to Oceti Wakan, Pine Ridge SD
Ocetiwakan.org
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