A much loved and cherished father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Paul Hope Richards, 91, of Baden, Maryland passed into eternal life on January 11, 2024.

Paul was the fifth child of eight born to William B. Richards and Dora Estell Canter, on January 30, 1932, in Baden, Maryland. In 1942, his parents bought the farm located on Magruder's Ferry Road.

Paul graduated from Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine in 1951. After graduation, he worked at SMECO distributing equipment to linemen working in the field and continued working with his brothers on the family farm raising tobacco and corn. Paul wanted to see more of the world so he and a friend decided to join the Army.

Paul was trained at Fort AP Hill in Virginia. He was sent to Fort McNair, where he served in the Honor Guard. As the Korean War began, he was part of the First Calvary Division stationed in Hokkaido, Japan from 1952 to 1955. After his discharge from the Army, he returned home to begin working for Prince George's County Government where he made Speed and Stop signs for the road crew. He also joined the Air National Guard with an honorable discharge in 1960. Paul had an interest in law enforcement so he decided to join the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC in 1956. He later transferred to the White House Secret Service-Uniform Division, (now known as the Executive Protective Service) in 1958. He proudly served six Presidents in his tenure; Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Carter. Through his years of service, he traveled to Camp David, all of the Presidents' summer homes, and to each of the Embassies in Washington D.C.

After retiring from the Secret Service, he had several odd jobs. He refurbished an old firetruck into an ice cream truck, traveling to state and county fairs and special events. He was the driver for the CEO of Aerojet Corp. as well as, the driver for the Chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was the mail carrier for Southern Maryland, picking up and delivering the bulk mail to post offices in P.G. County and back to the main Hub in District Heights. He picked up food from grocery stores and delivered it to the Food Pantry at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Baden. He also worked for Southern Wheel in Waldorf as a delivery driver.

Paul married Louise Agnes Bishop in December 1955. From this union three daughters were born: Wanda Marie, Bonnie Jean, and Cherie Diane. Paul and Louise settled on the farm on Magruder's Ferry Road to raise their family, living next to the house he grew up in. A home that Paul has lived in since 1959.

Paul had a passion to learn to fly. After being trained by one of the original Tuskegee Airman, he earned his private pilot license in 1965. He built a runway in his backyard and delighted many neighbors with plane rides around Southern Maryland and the Patuxent River. He loved to play checkers, teaching his daughters and all the grandchildren. His favorite meal was a Mcdonald's fish filet with fries and a coke. He enjoyed all genres of music; old-time hymns, country music, and Irish folk songs. He loved his church and our Lord, reading the Bible every day.

Paul is survived by his daughters, Wanda Richards of Baden, Maryland, Bonnie DeBoe (Terry) of Mechanicsville, Maryland, and Cherie Richards of King George, Virginia. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Melissa DeMuth, Stephen Beiler, Patrick DeBoe, Phillip (Leah)DeBoe; David (Stefanie)DeBoe, and Gregory (Maegan)DeBoe. Six great-grandchildren; Kirsten, Madison, Joseph, Charlotte, Sawyer, and Logan. One sister, Mary Thelma Cole of Georgia. He is predeceased by his parents, his brothers; Bennie Richards, James Richards, William Richards, Arnold Richards, Charles Nelson Richards, and sister Rachel Myers.

Pallbearers will be son-in-law, Terry DeBoe, grandchildren Patrick DeBoe, Phillip DeBoe, David DeBoe, and Gregory DeBoe, and nephews, Billy Richards, David Richards, and Glenn Myers.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 24, at Brookfield United Methodist Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by a church service at 11:00 a.m. Internment will be in the church cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Brookfield United Methodist Church, 12806 Croom Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772; Baden Fire Department 16608 Brandywine Rd., Brandywine, Maryland 20613, or any local church of your choosing.