Byron A. Richards, 91, of Hendersonville, NC, formally of Skaneateles, NY died Saturday December 16, 2023, at Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville NC.
Byron was born in October of 1932, in Akron, NY, to the late Robert Joseph and Helen Richards. He was a graduate of General Motors Institute with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he spent 15 years at General Motors. In 1968 Byron moved to Skaneateles where he worked 20 years in the newly created Fiber Optic Division at Welch Allyn and earned a patent for the bar code reader which is a part of our everyday lives today. He retired in 1988 and relocated to Hendersonville, NC. Byron was an avid collector of conifers and created, with his wife Hazel, an impressive arboretum that was visited by tour buses several times a year. Byron was a marathon runner and hiker, with a goal of reaching the highest peak in each of the 50 states, he completed over 25. Byron was a fine craftsman, having built his dream home with his wife Hazel. Everyone loved Byron.
Byron is survived by his wife Hazel of 67 years; two sons, Tyde Richards and his wife Denise of Skaneateles NY, Dirk Richards and his wife Lori of Cincinnati OH; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Mr. Richards will be laid to rest in Skaneateles, New York.
Jackson Funeral Service is honored to serve the Richards family.
