Dr. Paul E. Richardson, 88, of Monmouth Beach, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on May 29, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, friend, colleague, professor, and business owner, who will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to have known him. 

Paul was born to Eleanor and John P. Richardson in Washington DC, where he spent most of his childhood. He liked to recount memories of riding bikes up and down Pennsylvania Avenue with his friends, most of which he kept in contact with over the years.

He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1953 to 1957, and the reserves until 1961. He proudly wore his Coast Guard Veteran hat and loved striking up a conversation with people about it.

Paul held degrees in physics from the University of Maryland (B.Sc.), the University of Puerto Rico (M.Sc.) and Catholic University (Ph.D.), Washington, DC. As a graduate student he worked at the Nuclear Center in Puerto Rico, followed by a long career as a Physicist for the US Bureau of Mines.

He was widely recognized for his expertise in electrochemistry of sulfide minerals and precious metals. He was the editor of two conference proceedings volumes and the author/contributor of roughly 50 scientific papers. He also served as an associate editor to the International Journal of Mineral Processing, and as Chairman of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration’s (SME) Metallurgical Processing Fundamentals Committee.

After 30 years of government service, Paul retired and joined the faculty of Virginia Tech as a visiting Professor. Not one to remain idle, he then purchased and operated, along with his wife Lee, Bay Bridge Liquors in Annapolis, MD. They sold the business in 2005 and moved to Monmouth Beach, NJ, finally retiring for good, and dedicating his time instead to his family. He also kept in touch with his friends and professional colleagues through his final days.

He is survived by his wife Kyong Ok (Lee) Kim; his siblings Frana, Peter, Michael, and Carol; his children Caroline, Paul Kenneth and his wife Sandra, and Michelle and her husband Jonathan; his grandchildren Denise, Janice, Thomas, Santiago, Nate, Vivien, and Mia; and great-grandchildren Bethany, Eleanor, and Loretta. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother John, and sons Everett, and Frank Richardson.

A Memorial Service will be announced once arrangements with Arlington National Cemetery are finalized.
The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the Tribute/Guestbook link above.