Edward T. 'Tom' Richardson, 96, educator

Edward T. "Tom" Richardson, 96, an educator in Springfield School District in Delaware County for more than 35 years who had a school named in his honor, died of heart failure Oct. 3 at Broomall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Mr. Richardson, who was born in Philadelphia, had lived in Springfield since 1922. He graduated from Upper Darby High School and earned a bachelor's degree from West Chester University and a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

He taught math and science in the district and was also a guidance counselor from 1936 until 1962, when he became principal of the new Woodland Avenue School.

When he retired in 1976, Woodland became the E.T. Richardson Middle School. A portrait of Mr. Richardson hangs in the school library.

He was respected by the teachers and students, said Frank McKnight, who is now principal of the school. Veteran staff at the school, McKnight said, remember Mr. Richardson as a caring administrator.

When he was hospitalized recently and while at Broomall Rehabilitation, former students, their parents, and people he worked with came by to wish him well, his son Edward Jr. said.

Mr. Richardson's career as an educator was interrupted by World War II, when he served in the Army Air Force as as a pre-flight instructor at Maxwell Field in Alabama. At least four of his former students appeared in his flight class, he later told a reporter.

During the war he corresponded with Elizabeth Fredricks, also a former student. They married in 1945.

Until this summer, his son said, his father planted a vegetable garden every year, growing plants from seeds in his basement. He enjoyed following the stock market and had been active with the Springfield Republican Party and the Springfield Lions Club.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Richardson is survived by sons John and Alan; a daughter, Cheryl; and a grandson.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at Kovacs Funeral Home, 530 W. Woodland Ave., Springfield. Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Edgewood Memorial Park, Glen Mills.