Dr. Alan Ralph Richardson, professor emeritus of Ball State University, passed away on March 8th, 2024, at the age of 83. He was a recent resident of Hooverwood Living Facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Richardson, son of Dr. John S. and Helen K. (Ryan) Richardson, was born August 6, 1940, in Oxford, Ohio where his father was a professor of Science Education at Miami University. After his father moved the family to Columbus, Ohio, Alan entered and graduated from OSU’s laboratory school. Following this he completed a bachelor’s degree in education also at OSU. While there he became a life-long member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. Many lifetime friendships developed and during those years Alan met his life partner, Roberta Thoroman. The two were married on September 11th, 1965. Alan’s teaching career in the field of communications media (later telecommunications) took the pair from Flint, Michigan to Ann Arbor where Alan attained a master’s degree. Then westward, the couple moved to Macomb, Illinois with Alan teaching at Western Illinois University (WIU) and the couple welcomed their first child, Tara, in 1968. After three years at WIU and to continue teaching at the university level, Alan decided to enroll in a doctoral program at Ohio University and the young family moved to Athens, Ohio. After another three years and with then-6-week-old David making the family four, Alan began teaching at State University of New York (SUNY) in Buffalo, New York. Upon completing his dissertation during the following four years in Buffalo the family once again moved, this time to Carbondale, Illinois where Alan taught for six years at Southern Illinois University (SIU). While there Alan worked with three colleagues in forming his own video production company, Sphinx Video. An opportunity arose to work with Alan’s mentor John Kurtz, who was the chair of the Telecommunications department at Ball State University (BSU), and so the family moved again, to Muncie, Indiana where Alan would teach for the next 25 years, most of that time as a full professor. During his tenure at BSU he was an officer for the regional chapter of the International Television Association (ITVA) and he formed many friendships throughout the organization. He enjoyed working with the faculty and staff of the T-Comm department and held dear many close friends. Alan’s participation in the local community included being a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church where he was the superintendent of the Sunday school, was involved in local politics, chaired the local Muncie Cable Commission, and was a strong and vital member of Muncie’s barbershop chorus, the Magic City Music Men. He also enjoyed several hobbies, along with singing in his barbershop chorus and quartet. He was a member of the local water garden club and loved raising koi in his backyard water garden, which was enjoyed by the whole family, especially by the grandchildren. He was an avid DIY homeowner, building and continually improving the family home. Alan also enjoyed spending time outdoors boating, fishing, and camping. Alan, a warm, caring, and loving husband, father, and grandfather was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Lynne Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Roberta Marie, also daughter Tara Lynne and son David Ryan, grandchildren Harrison Alan, Ceredwyn McKinley, Miles Anderson, and Xavier John Edgar. Also surviving are brother Neil Richardson, former sister-in-law Rosalie Jane, brother-in-law Stanley Selinger, Cousin Karen Cua, nieces Rosalie Sarah Kopelman, Amy Helen Richardson, Leah Elaina Connelly, and nephew Joseph John Selinger. Also, his pet dog Cocoa. A celebration of Alan’s life will take place on June 8th in the Library of Hooverwood Living facility (HLF) at 1pm. HLF is located at 7001 Hoover Rd, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260. A gathering and semi-formal sharing of remembrances will be followed by refreshments. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Alan’s name may be made toward a fund for media faculty scholarships at Ball State University by sending them to Department of Media Faculty Scholarships – fund #074500. Mailing address is Ball State Foundation, 2800 W. Bethel Avenue, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 46304.
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