Obituary: Bob Richards was HHH's personal driver

As Hubert Humphrey's personal driver, Bob Richards took the Minnesota political giant out for everything from treats to trousers.

Richards, 76, a State Patrol trooper for 31 years, died on Nov. 20 from esophageal cancer and kidney failure, according to his family.

Richards, who lived in Shoreview at the time of his death, drove for Humphrey after his term as vice president in the Johnson administration ended in early 1969 and until the Democrat returned to Washington two years later for a second stint in the Senate.

The privilege came to Richards through his association with a Twin Cities law firm as a lobbyist and not because of his career with the patrol, said his wife, Pat Richards.

"They went all over the state politicking," Pat Richards said. Her husband would pick up Humphrey at his home near Macalester College in St. Paul or at his lakefront residence 45 miles to the west in Waverly.

Humphrey made it clear to his driver to be on time -- but particularly not to report early for duty. "Just get there when you're supposed to get there," Pat Richards recalled.

"He was early one time, and Humphrey was out raking leaves," Pat Richards recalled. Humphrey said to Bob Richards, " 'You wanna finish raking?' "

"He was never early again because he might end up doing other chores," she said.

Bob Richards quickly learned that Humphrey never carried money with him, not even having enough cash "if they stopped at the Dairy Queen," Pat Richards said.

Her husband also would find himself caught in a low-grade secrecy tap dance between Humphrey and his wife, Muriel.

Humphrey liked buying new clothes and insisted that his driver not tell Muriel whenever he got a new suit or other clothing, Pat Richards said.

But Muriel got wind of the purchases anyway, and she instructed Bob Richards not to tell her husband that she found out.

During his time with the State Patrol, Bob Richards co-founded "Bears that Care," an organization that sent troopers to hospitals with stuffed bears, candy and other gifts for children.

He also lobbied on behalf of the Minnesota State Patrol Troopers Association and "is responsible for many of the retirement and work benefits that troopers enjoy today," said Kevin Kittridge, who served as the patrol's chief in 1989-90. "He had a great heart and was a good guy. I always thought that he was out for others and not for himself."

Born in St. Paul and a graduate of Cretin High School in 1953, Bob Richards also was involved in starting the Roseville Youth Hockey Association and worked with Special Olympics.

Along with Pat Richards, survivors include son Terry Richards and daughters Kim Sacay and Kelly Hillmann. Services were held Tuesday at St. Odilia Church in Shoreview.