Scott Richards

Scott Allen "Big Scott" Richards, 64, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, doing one of the many things that he loved: Walking the hills of Illinois.

Scott was born March 21, 1958, in Moline, Illinois, to the late Francis "Dick" and Mary Rumler Richards.

He was recruited for a beautiful basketball career in which he spent the first two years of his college education playing ball at University of Nevada-Reno. He then finished his basketball career in Cape Girardeau, after receiving a full ride scholarship at Southeast Missouri State University in May 1981. He earned a business degree from Southeast and continued his education to become a licensed land surveyor at Southern Illinois University, where he earned registration and certification to practice surveying in Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas. He began his surveying career as a dear apprentice of his wife's father, Richard T. "Papa" Kogge.

On Oct. 16, 1982, Scott married his sweetheart, Mary Louise Kogge Richards, and they have spent the past 39 years building a home together. They stayed busy running a successful business -- Richards Land Surveying -- as well as raising their two daughters and later enjoying their six grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Big Scott loved an adventure. He enjoyed the outdoors, spending time with his family by the pool, going to yard sales and spending his weekends in Peckerwood Holler with his treasured wife, Mary.

He was mostly known as Bebo or Gampa to his beloved grandchildren. He especially loved going metal detecting with them, taking them to the park and running errands with them. Scott was not a quiet man; he had a wonderful laugh with a booming voice which will be dearly missed. He had a knack for finding good deals and never failed to provide for his loved ones, near and far.

Scott is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his children, Kate (Jared) Reeves of Cape Girardeau and Megan (Mark) Frazier of Cape Girardeau; sister, DeAnn (Kelly) Thompson and family of Ava, Missouri; as well as Pauline Richards. He is celebrated through the lives of his grandchildren, Josh, Luke and Drew Reeves, as well as Haddie, Millie and Norah Frazier, who always kept him running.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Junior "Dick" and Mary Mildred Rumler Richards; his brother, Steven Richards; and his father- and mother-in-law, Richard T. "Papa" and Patricia Ann "Nana" Kogge, all of whom had a piece of his heart.

A memorial Mass for Scott will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul Church. It will be immediately followed by a celebration of life luncheon in the lower meeting room of the church. Please join his family in person or spirit to celebrate this great man. He will be dearly missed.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.