Richard L. Cox, age 76, of Minneapolis, died August 18 at Mt. Olivet Careview Home from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Born in Saint Joseph, MO, to Genevieve and James (Don) Wilson, Richard grew up with older brother Roger, younger sister Donna, and loving grandparents Hattie and Clyde Spidle and Ruby and Earl Wilson. Hours spent in the local library, park, and Grandma Hattie’s kitchen were among Richard’s most cherished memories.
After graduating from Lafayette High School, Richard earned his BA at the University of Missouri with a double major in Political Science and History (1968). A draft notice after graduation led him to enlist in the Navy, where he served until 1972. An enduring memory of those years was the beauty of the night sky at sea. A civilian again, Richard chose graduate studies in Early Modern British History over law school as originally planned, and completed his Master’s Degree at the University of Missouri in 1975. He moved to Minneapolis to continue his studies at the University of Minnesota, where he met Dolores Peters, another graduate student—and his future wife. Richard completed coursework and research as a Ph.D. candidate only to face an abysmally poor job market. Deciding to retool at Roosevelt University’s graduate-level Lawyer’s Assistant Program in Chicago, in 1983 he abandoned the Tudor-Stuart monarchy and entered the uncharted territory of marriage and career.
With a brief period at IDS Financial Services (1986-87) and Rider, Bennett, Egan & Arundel (1987-88), Richard’s career as a Legal Assistant was primarily with the Faegre & Benson law firm in Minneapolis (1983-2009). His most gratifying work was as a member of that firm’s Asylum Team, assisting asylum-seekers throughout the legal process that paved the way for new lives in the US. Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights recognized Richard’s work with their Volunteer Award in 1999. In 2006 he received the Advocate Award from the Minnesota Justice Foundation.
The need for a more vigorous brass section in his high school band launched Richard’s lifelong interest in music, begetting a collection that spanned decades and included folk, roots, gospel, R &B, classical, and big band recordings. Richard reveled in annual trips to the New Orleans Jazz Festival. In retirement he rediscovered the French horn and joined the Crosstown Community Band. Richard loved movies, whether watching old Westerns with Grandma Hattie or, with Dolores, dating his way through scores of films from the silly to the sub-titled. An avid reader, Richard’s book collection rivalled that of his CDs and DVDs. Baseball was another passion, and Richard loved going to games and talking baseball, especially with friends Dave and Ron. A loyal Cardinals fan, he followed current season’s standings until the day he died. Richard loved travelling, from road-tripping through the West with his grandparents to seeing the world while in the Navy to exploring Paris, London, and Sydney with his wife on research trips. Sadly, Parkinson’s sabotaged his dream of soaking up art history in Florence, Italy.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents and brother Roger Cox. He is survived by wife Dolores Peters of Minneapolis; sister Donna Groh and companion Bobby Smith of Saint Joseph, MO; sister-in-law Sylvia (Roger) Cox of San Jose, CA; in-laws Linda (Peters) and Gregory Lambert and Arlene (Peters) and Bruce McFate of Chambersburg, PA; and five nieces, four nephews, six grandnieces, and six grandnephews.
A gathering to celebrate and share memories of Richard’s life will be held on Friday, October 21st at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 5801 Lyndale Ave. S, Mpls. Visitation begins at 1:00 with a time to share memories at 2:00.
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