Charles L. Cragin - President, Margaret Chase Smith Foundation
I’m reticent to use the word “retirement” thinking about you. Perhaps “turning the page”, “starting a new chapter”, etc. but not “withdrawing”. I recall when you arrived at the library in 1996 as the Assistant Director. At that time the library was owned by Northwood University and the Margaret Chase Smith Foundation, with Mert Henry at its helm, was a funding source. You served as second in command during the Northwood days. In December 2011 the Foundation purchased the Library from Northwood and two things happened. In 2012, the Foundation entered into an agreement with the University of Maine which began operating the Library under the Foundation’s auspices. You became Executive Director of the Library and an employee of the University. During the next 12 years you brought vision, enthusiasm and resilience and delivered daily. There have been many changes at the library in that time and you can be proud of what you accomplished and of the legacy that you leave behind. While a full-time employee of the University, you always found time to assist the Foundation as its members requested information or worked with you to develop operating budgets, fund capital projects and constantly adapt to new technology. My colleagues on the Margaret Chase Smith Foundation Board of Directors join me in thanking you for your tireless service. You have made significant contributions in preserving the legacy of Senator Smith. May you move to your next journey with fair winds and following seas.
Michael J. Quinlan - Treasure/Secretary, margaret Chase Smith F0undation
David, all the best upon your retirement as Director of the Margaret Chase Smith Library. I have enjoyed our interactions involving the Library and will miss working with you. You have been a dedicated and loyal steward of the Library and the legacy of Senator Smith. Here’s to an enjoyable and fulfilling retirement!
Amos Reid - Margaret Chase Smith Library Facilities Maintanence
I came on board at the Margaret Chase Smith Library in 2009 after graduating college and grad school and Dr. David Richards has been a staple here for almost three decades of my life. He usually is the first person to arrive at the facility and the last to leave and besides all of his academic works, leadership, and direction, you would find him outside assisting with keeping the facility and grounds in top shape as well. His contributions to furthering the works and memory of Senator Margaret Chase Smith and his attention to the MCS Library and staff have been exemplary and he will be greatly missed here and in the community. Best wishes for your next adventure!
Angie Stockwell - Former Margaret Chase Smith Library Colleague
David Richards, tall, lanky, witty, brilliant, averse to veggies, loves baseball, loves mousse (not, however, the ones that crash through your car window and break your neck), and although he never knew Margaret Chase Smith, he loved her. Of course. We all did.
Historically, director predecessors, assistant directors, and university administrators were each remarkable in their own way. That said, I had vowed that if David Richards ever left, for whatever reason, I, too, would leave. Having been at the Library for over 37 years, I had pretty much decided I would never again "train" a new director. Not that I actually had any say in such a task, but sharing the ins and outs of the MCS Library with someone new was more than I wanted to tackle.
I'm pretty sure David never called me by my given name but rather I was "Stockwell." I'm unsure if that is politically correct in today's world of "woke," but I never failed to respond as I knew he meant no disrespect. His attention to proper grammar when editing my newsletter effort each quarter was grueling. Lordy, I wanted to strangle him. But I soon reluctantly admitted he was the better grammarian.
But COVID arrived, technology far surpassed my knowledge, and I was old!! Darn, I hate saying that! 37 1/2 years is a long time. So I was the first to retire.
David's appreciation of life changed in 2014, as did the priorities in his life. Now David is off to the mountains. Up one hill, down another and following the paths of which poets write and viewing the vistas unseen by we of lesser stamina. You were and are the best of men, dear David. I can only borrow from Roy Rogers and Dale Evans when I say "Happy Trails to You."
Lynnette King - Former Margaret Chase Smith Library Colleague
The years I worked with David Richards will be remembered very fondly from my perspective. He was my colleague for many years before becoming the Library’s Director. When reflecting upon my time working with him, three words consistently came to mind—dedication, community and thoughtfulness.
David’s dedication to the Margaret Chase Smith Library was evident as he was constantly working to keep her legacy alive both in and out of the Library. It was fun to see him leaving the Library for a speaking engagement with the cardboard cutout of young Margaret in tow ready to bring her to life in the eyes of school children and adults alike. He kept a very busy schedule and seeing his car in the parking lot long after the Library had closed speaks to me of his passion and dedication.
The Library’s programs and events are always well attended but I think part of that success has a lot to do with David personally as much as it does the specific program. He is well known in the Skowhegan community and that is because David is out there constantly supporting other individuals and organizations by attending programs and events in the community and throughout the state. He also brings the community into the Library on a regular basis keeping her name relevant all these years later.
The last word I’ll use to describe David Richards is thoughtful. He is a very thoughtful person and much like Margaret Chase Smith did, he regularly takes the time to hand write letters to people. Not many still do that. He also took the time to speak to individual staff members to perhaps inquire about a family member or an event that was important in their lives which showed me that he genuinely cared about us. We were a very small staff and I think it was definitely more like a family.
I wish him much happiness in retirement. I’m thrilled that something good came out of his devastating encounter with that moose years ago—his passion for hiking. I expect he’ll be spending much of his time in the great outdoors. Congratulations, David!
Vanessa caron - former margaret chase smith colleague
