Henry Morgan "Hank" Richarde

Henry Morgan “Hank” Richarde, Jr., 81, was surrounded by family as he left this life on Sunday, June 27th, 2021. A native of Florida, Hank and his sister, Jane, grew up with an unusual address, spending their formative years in housing created for employees at the State Prison Farm. The drawing of Hank which accompanies this tribute was created by an inmate at the prison where they grew up. After graduating from Bradford High School in Starke, Florida, Hank received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He earned an aeronautical engineering degree and trained as a naval aviator. During his service in the Vietnam War, Hank (call sign “Hawk”) piloted the A-4 Skyhawk and was awarded the Air Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. He met his future wife, Betty, while he was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, and their whirlwind courtship was cemented by letters written during his subsequent six-month deployment. After convincing the beautiful and kind hearted teacher to marry him in 1967, the young couple moved to Monterey, California, so that Hank could further his education at the Naval Postgraduate School. Hank soon traded his military career for a more settled family life, becoming the proud father of Cathy and Stephen. He earned a master’s degree in business from the University of Florida, and the family moved to Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1975. A systems engineer for Ingalls Shipbuilding, Hank spent his civilian career helping to design ships for his beloved Navy. On any given evening, Hank could be found leading a family game night, coaching his children’s soccer teams, or creating detailed statistical charts for his son’s baseball team. He was also the main chef in the family, earning rave reviews for dishes ranging from biscuits to spaghetti to sausage balls. In later years, his four grandchildren became his pride and joy. Hank and Betty traveled often to see them, and he was one of only two adults to master the special “spider tickle” technique. Hank also tutored high school and college students in math and was a challenge designer for local robotics competitions. Several Fitbit watches also died trying to keep up with his step totals, as Hank logged mile after mile with fitness walks along the beach and throughout the neighborhood. After an extended illness in 2020, Hank took charge of his recovery by determinedly pushing his walker up and down the street to the cheers of his neighbors. Hank was preceded in death by his father, Morgan, and his mother, Harriet. He is survived by his wife, Betty, his children, Cathy and Stephen (Melissa), his sister, Jane, and his grandchildren, Henry, Emily, Lainey, and Hailey. His service will be held on, Tuesday, July 6th, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs. A visitation will begin at 10 am, and the funeral service will take place at 11 am. Following the service, Hank will be buried at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hank’s favorite charities: Our Daily Bread, 3502 Old Mobile Ave, Pascagoula, MS 39581 or The Salvation Army, 575 Division St., Biloxi, MS 39564. For those so inclined, Hank would also get a big kick out of his friends and family increasing those daily step counts with a walk along the beach in his honor. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.