Carolyn Katherine Richards

Carolyn Katherine Richards, 99, passed away quietly on March 27, 2023 in Sioux Falls SD. Carolyn was born November 16, 1923 in Bayonne NJ to Harry and Helen (Hering) Boyce.

In WWII, Carolyn was one of the 300,000 “Rosie the Riveter’s” that supported the war effort. She worked as a draftsperson at the Wind Tunnel Laboratory in East Hartford, CT, which was part of the Research Division of United Aircraft Part of her work included working on the then top secret plans for a Nacelle, the housing for the engine mounted on the wings. While working there, Carolyn had the opportunity to meet Charles Lindbergh, and Igor Sikorsky who invented the helicopter.

After the war, she married Robert Thomas Richards in June 1951. The couple had two children, Kathy, and Nancy. In 2008, Carolyn later moved to South Dakota to live with her daughter and son in law Nancy and Chuck Cunningham.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Chuck) Cunningham, son-in-law LeRoy Van Beveren, grandsons Martin (Tracey) Van Beveren, Scott (Andrea) Cunningham, Andrew (Shalane) Cunningham, and three great grandchildren.

Carolyn was an accomplished weaver, artist, fellow of the American Artists Professional League, and a proud member of the Mary Chilton Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution in Sioux Falls, SD.

A Memorial service will be held at Hilltop Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, April 29 from 2-4PM and a graveside service at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, Paramus and Century Roads, in Paramus, NJ on May 6, 2023 at 3:00PM.

In remembrance and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons Bible International (www.gideons.org/donate), Humane Society ( Protect Animals | Give a Gift - The Humane Society of the United States) or another charity of your choice.