Arnold Louis Richards Jr. – of Saint Clair Shores Michigan, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his closest family members on February 12th 2026. He was 70 years young and still held a passion for life and humanity. Arnold had battled various cancers for the better part of the last 10 years and fought with courage and tenacity. His doctors and medical team were always sharing how impressed they were with his determination to continue the fight. Sadly, in the end he did succumb to liver cancer when there were no further treatments proving successful.

In his professional life Arnold worked in the automotive industry – primarily for Chrysler as a packaging engineer. He participated in many vehicle launches through out his career and traveled regularly throughout the United State and Mexico. He was an integral part of the teams he was on and highly respected and appreciated by his colleagues. Arnold was my father and assisted me to start a career in manufacturing as well. It was with great honor that I was able to work alongside him and enjoy the unique circumstance to not only have a father that taught me so many lessons about life but also helped to guide me through my own career. Prior to working in automotive he and his wife Ruth Stevenson (Richards) ran several family businesses including sign making, a retail pet store and the launch of their own dog harness product. He was a jack of all trades in a sense and there were few tasks that he was unable to create a solution for.

I wish I had more that I could share regarding his early life and I hope that the friends and loved ones reading this can share some of their experiences here on his memorial page. Arnold was born and spent the first decade of his life in Michigan on Hammond lake in the Kego Harbor area. Both his mother and father unfortunately passed away too young which left Arnold and his 5 siblings to care for each other. He spent many years living in Florida and eventually found his way back to Michigan where he resided for the remainder of his life.

As many know, Arnold became politically engaged in the last 15 years and spent much of his time and effort focused on the growth of humanity. He firmly believed in the rights and autonomy of individuals across the globe and worked diligently to create a better world for the citizens of humanity. He asked that we all consider each other in difficult times and do our best to see one another as equals.

Arnold is survived by his loving family – Son, Aaron Richards; Daughter in Law, Courtney Richards; Ex-Wife, Ruth Stevenson (Richards); Step Sons Chris & Shawn Steeb; Brothers Andy & Jimmy Richards, Sister KC Richards and family friend Cindy Hebert. He was preceded in death by his brother Michael Riccardi and sister Susie Fletcher.

“Dad, you are and will always be my best friend, teacher and guiding light in my life. You have always shown me how to be a better, kinder person and how to love and celebrate all of the blessings that life has given us. You will never be gone as you will always be in our hearts. With all the love I have – Clean living, my friend, we will see you soon.”

-Your son, Aaron