Founder of decades-old Rockledge business Richard's Paint Manufacturing Company dies at age 92

Edward Richard, founder of 66-year-old Rockledge business Richard's Paint Manufacturing Company, died last month at age 92 after struggling with a lengthy illness, his family said.

He was born in 1927 in Cullman, Alabama and spent his childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Richard served in the United States Merchant Marine from 1947 to 1953. 

Upon leaving the service he founded Richard's paint in Hialeah, Florida in along with his wife Ruth and brother Joseph. Joseph was bought out of the business a few years later. In the 1960s they opened their headquarters in Rockledge.

The company would eventually grow to make tens of millions in sales per year in multiple states, producing some two million gallons of paint per year.

Richard had already mostly retired by the time of his death, but still worked about one day a week for the business, said Eric Richard, current president and CEO of Richard's Paint and Edward Richard's son. Edward Richard leaves the business in the hands of his four children and three of his grandchildren.

Eric Richard said his father was a man of high integrity who founded the business based on a philosophy of quality service and care for the customer. 

"He was certainly a good father," Eric Richard said. "He was a good husband to my mother. He was a good person that worked work for you know, he cared for all of his employees. All of the boys loved him. His customers loved him."

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Edward Richard leaves behind a business that's a "pillar of the community" with a reputation of philanthropy and generosity, Palm Bay Greater Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nancy Peltonen said.

"I know how generous they are," she said.

The company sponsors Melbourne Main Street's mural project in downtown Melbourne and gives away recycled paint to Brevard residents. Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michael Ayers said Richard's Paint donated paint to the chamber when it moved to a new office.

"They've been great to us," Ayers said. "They donate quite a bit to the community."

Eric Richard said the family has heard many kind words from those who knew his father.

"The outpouring from our industry that's coming from customers and suppliers and of course, friends, family, it's been pretty humbling," he said.

Bailey Gallion is the business and development reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallion at bgallion@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3786.