Dr. Stewart Lee Richardson, Jr,

Dr. Stewart Lee Richardson, Jr., 80, former professor at the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business, died October 27, 2020 at Brightview Assisted Living in Westminster, MD after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Dr. Richardson was born on July 8, 1940 in Arlington, Virginia to Stewart L. Richardson, an accountant with the Federal Railroad Administration, and Margaret Strachan Richardson, a homemaker. He graduated from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington and the University of Richmond School of Business. He then earned a master’s degree in business administration from Emory University and a doctorate in business administration from University of Colorado. He began his teaching career in 1966 as an assistant professor before being promoted to an associate professor at Louisiana State University School of Business. During his 12 years in Baton Rouge, he founded the Louisiana Consumers League and served as its first president. He served as an adjunct professor of marketing at Southern University in Baton Rouge. He also taught at the University of Maryland College Park. Dr. Richardson’s success as a consumer advocate led to active participation in the Consumer Federation of America. It also resulted in him being tapped to serve in the US Department of Consumer Affairs as part of the administrations of President Richard Nixon and President Jimmy Carter, while Dr. Richardson was on a leave of absence from LSU. He became Director of the Federal Energy Administration’s Office of Consumer Affairs upon its creation in 1973. Within months, however, his principles caused him to resign, charging that the office’s recommendations on energy policy were routinely ignored. The story of his stance and actions was featured on the front page of the Washington Post on August 13, 1974. Barbara Walters interviewed Dr. Richardson on the topic during an episode on the NBC television program the Today Show shortly thereafter. Dr. Richardson co-authored several books, including textbooks and wrote numerous articles, primarily in the fields of marketing and consumer research. His analysis of how the Bell Telephone System breakup would affect consumers was featured in People magazine in 1982 and he landed a solo guest appearance on The Phil Donahue Show in 1981. In 1981, Dr. Richardson joined the University of Baltimore faculty, where he taught marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening and in 1989, launched his own newsletter known as The Gardener’s Advocate, which focused on garden-related industries and garden-related educators and media, rather than on the home gardener. His research into whether indoor plants could make clean air inside a home was featured in a Baltimore Sun article in January of 1991. Dr. Richardson also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was an enthusiastic cook, often frying enough chicken in one batch to last for several family meals. His specialty was red beans and rice, key lime pie, and Chicken Kiev. Prior to his declining health, Dr. Richardson resided in Columbia, MD and was elected to serve as the Chairman of the Town Center Village Board from 2005-2013. He worked with county leaders in efforts to expand the Columbia Mall, to preserve Merriweather Post Pavilion, and to create a safe crosswalk over Little Patuxent Parkway. Dr. Richardson was predeceased by his parents and his younger brother, James Strachan Richardson. He is survived by his three loving and devoted children: Lee-Ellen Rebecca Macon of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Stewart L. Richardson III (wife Carol) of Reisterstown, Maryland; and Lauren Lee Mullins (husband Steve) of Westminster, Maryland, from his marriage to Doralee Forsythe Simko. He leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren, Margaret and Jacqueline Davidson, Jessica and Kaelyn Richardson, Matthew and Bradley Preller, and Jake and Avery Mullins. He is also survived by his nieces, Variny Yim and Olary Yim and their mother, Viriyane Richardson, of California. The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 1, 2020 from 4 to 6 pm at Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel, 412 Washington Rd., Westminster. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 2 at 10 am at the funeral home. Interment will be in Columbia Gardens Cemetery at 2pm, 3411 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201. The service will be available via Zoom. Use the link below to be connected to the event. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4034588869 Memorial contributions may be made is his name to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St #310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 https://curealz.org/giving/donate/.