Obituary of Franklin Delano Richardson

Franklin Delano Richardson, 86, of Lawrenceville, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Princeton Medical Center. A resident of Lawrenceville for more than 50 years, Franklin was born on November 7, 1936, in Millerstown, Kentucky to the late Ray Richardson and Lillian (Hughes) Richardson. He held a B.S. in chemical engineering from Yale University and utilized his science background in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps and then as an employee of the FMC Corporation and later the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection where he worked for 22 years until his retirement. As a young man, inspired by the likes of Benny Goodman, Franklin was an enthusiastic clarinet player. And while he had hoped to play in the Army Band of Frankfort, Kentucky, ultimately the military deemed his chemical engineering skills more vital to the armed forces than his delightful clarinet playing. He’s musical talents also led him to sing the bass line in a barbershop quartet in college, and later to interpret his favorite Elvis Presley songs at small family gatherings. Franklin was an active swim team dad, becoming a certified USA Swimming official, and serving as starter, timer, record keeper, and general team booster. In his spare time, he also enjoyed comic strips, crossword puzzles and mystery novels. He was also an avid armchair meteorologist and mapping buff. Celebrating his life are his loving wife of nearly 55 years, Elaine Richardson; daughter Sharon Dickinson and husband, Michael; daughter Lisa Richardson and husband, Garry Vander Voort; grandchildren, Zachary, Maya and Ella Dickinson; sister Ramona Ethington; and nieces Kim Kannapel and Jennifer Ethington. Funeral Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to honor Franklin with a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or your favorite charity. Arrangements are under the direction of Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, Lawrenceville, NJ.