Pamela Millikin Richards

Pam captivated everyone she met with her warm smile, easy manner and infectious laugh. She radiated happiness and had an irresistible combination of empathy and humor. Pam was steadfastly loyal, and wonderfully creative and curious. In tennis and life, she never lacked resolve.  Pam shared a great love story with her husband, Charles F. Richards, Jr., from the moment when, as she reminded her family often, they “spotted each other across a crowded ballroom.”

Pam grew up in Morristown, NJ where she attended the Peck School and graduated from Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT.  She studied at Vassar College and completed her formal education at L’École de Science politique de la Sorbonne in Paris, France.  She married Charlie in August 1961 and they began their life together in New Haven, CT where she assisted Yale University Professor Moore in the Childhood Education department.

In late 1962, Pam flew to East Africa to join her husband in their first great adventure in Tanzania.  Pam tutored French and cared for their newborn while Charlie taught law.  Their experience in Tanzania cemented their understanding of the power of education to transform lives and began a life-long passion for travel.

Pam and Charlie returned from Africa to Wilmington, DE, Charlie’s hometown, where they raised three children; created a beautiful home and garden; and devoted their considerable talents and energy to the community.  Pam served numerous organizations in various capacities over her lifetime including: the Children’s Bureau, Walnut Street Y, Garden Club of Wilmington and the Delaware Art Museum where she was board chair.  Pam continued to take formal instruction in French for many years and her fluency and ease with the French language enriched her appreciation of food, art and culture throughout her life.  Pam was an avid bridge player and a competitive tennis player, winning many club and state titles.  She worked with a trainer and got out onto the court until she was 83.

In addition to their home in Wilmington, DE, Pam and Charlie created family homes in Aspen, CO and Vero Beach, FL.  Each home was surrounded by gardens planted with beautiful and unusual combinations of native plants; and filled with pictures, art and mementos of their travels together.

Pam developed dementia in her 70s, which had accelerated in recent years.  She passed away on Monday, June 9 at home in Wilmington, DE upon returning from a lunch outing.  She was 84.  Charlie was with her in her final moments.  Charlie’s devotion to the love of his life enabled Pam to continue to enjoy each day and to bring joy to anyone who was lucky enough to be with her.  Ce n’est pas de l’amour, c’est une grande passion.

In addition to her husband of 63 years, Pam is survived by her children: Heather Richards Evans, Bettina Richards and Charlie Richards, IV and his wife Sharlene; her grandchildren: Kylie Richards; Helen Prekop, Francis Prekop and their father, Sam Prekop; Henry Evans, Imogen Evans, Grant Evans and his fiancée, Sara Klausing; as well as her sister, Carter M. Frank, and brother, John C. Millikin.  Over the years Pam’s family grew to embrace Leila Knight (dec.), Bessie Lewis (dec.), Olivia Wharton and Louise Miller.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, June 23^rd at 11:00 am at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, 505 E. Buck Road, Wilmington DE 19807. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Pam’s memory to:

Rodney Street Tennis and Tutoring: RodneyStreet, 504 S. Clayton St., Wilmington, DE 19805 https://rodneystreettennis.org/  OR

Nurturing Minds (supporting the SEGA Girls School in Tanzania): Nurturing Minds, Inc, P.O. Box 600617, Newtonville, MA 02460 https://www.nurturingmindsinafrica.org/.