Vern (Morris Lavern) Richards

Vern was born on January 21, 1935 in Osceola, Nebraska to Morris and Marjorie Richards. Vern's journey through life began on the family farm during the great depression. He attended a one room country school for his first eight years where heat was supplied by a coal furnace with one large register that everyone gathered around for warmth during the cold Nebraska winters. At Osceola High School and Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE, Vern's artistic talents were enhanced by learning to play the organ, piano, and saxophone. As a band member he had the opportunity to travel to all four sections of Nebraska giving concerts. His artistic talents were further enhanced by his involvement in theater productions both as performer and as a member of the stage crew. His accomplishments gave Vern a lot of satisfaction.

A family trip to visit relatives in Southern California in the late 1940's gave Vern the idea that this was the place where he wanted to live and work. Upon graduating from Wesleyan, Vern and friend Dick Haller, came to Los Angeles for summer work. In early 1957, Vern's journey was directed to the US Navy Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island, which ended up changing the rest of his life. His first assignment as an officer was to White Sands Missile Range, Las Cruces, New Mexico. There he met Neil Beecher, also a newly commissioned officer. They remember seeing each other during their training at Newport, and end up both being assigned to White Sands.

After discharge from the Navy in 1959, Vern and Neil made their home in California where they created a life together. Vern kept his music alive and taught Neil to really appreciate music, ballet, opera and theater. Vern joined The American Theater Organ Society and we enjoyed attending the concerts and annual conventions, especially the convention in London, England. We took the opportunity to travel throughout England, Wales and Scotland before the start of the convention.

Vern was employed as a computer programmer/analyst. He enjoyed his work very much. He began working at Texaco and wrote billing programs which were in use many years after their introduction. Retirement was from Union Bank as a vice president.

Vern was very proud of his home in Los Angeles. He took great pride in decorating and enjoyed gardening. His days were filled with classical or theater organ music and he enjoyed very much attending the theater. Vacations included many family visits to Nebraska, national parks and regions of the country, and numerous trips to the Hawaiian Islands. In retirement, Vern became a "cruiser." Some of his many journeys included Alaska, the Panama Canal, New Zealand and Australia, and the South Pacific. The South America cruise in 2015 was perhaps the most memorable cruise because of the scenery and ice bergs passed while cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula and visiting the very impressive Iguazu Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

Vern passed away May 20, 2016 at the age of 81 in Los Angeles, CA after a short illness due to esophageal cancer. He is survived by Neil Beecher, his husband and partner of 56 years, his Nebraska relatives: sisters Marlene Peterson, Shelby; and Marsha Thomas, Lincoln; nieces Brenda Lemburg (Herman), Osceola; Melinda Reinke (Troy), Lincoln; Teresa and Cheryl also in Lincoln: nephews Steve Peterson, Osceola; and Kevin Peterson (Connie), Lincoln, and Freddy William Thomas, Lincoln: great nieces Angie, Alyssa, and Kate: and great nephews Travis, Clayton and Cody.

Final Placement is in Faith & Hope Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Cathedral City, CA.