Plum man who died in Parkway East crash remembered for generosity, baking skills

Ronald Richards made “the best lady locks around,” said Sean Hartley, whose family owns the Shop ’n Save on Golden Mile Highway in Plum.

“He was making them for Christmas even this week. I saw him on Saturday at the store,” Hartley said.

Hartley hired Richards to manage his store’s bakery in 2017, choosing him from upward of a dozen applicants.

“He was the most qualified person,” he said. “I felt lucky he accepted my job offer.”

Ronald Russel Richards of Plum, formerly of West Mifflin, died in a crash Sunday morning on the Parkway East. He was 50.

State police said Richards was driving toward Plum when, just after the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, his SUV went off the road for unknown reasons. It hit a guardrail and went over an embankment. He died at the scene.

Richards suffered a medical emergency while driving, his son, Russ, wrote in a GoFundMe seeking donations to help the family cover funeral costs. As of Tuesday afternoon, it had raised about half of the $10,000 goal.

“Everybody at the store is heartbroken about Ron,” Hartley said. “He was a good guy, and I feel horrible for his family at this time of year. He’s going to be sorely missed.”

In addition to being a baker, Richards was a member of the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department. On Saturday, he was dressed as Santa, traveling through the community atop one of Plum’s firetrucks.

“Ron, being Santa, gave so much joy and excitement to hundreds,” said Michelle Stepnick, a friend of Richards’ family and a member of the Plum School Board. “Ron’s biggest dedication was to his wife, children and grandson.”

Richards had been a part of the Holiday Park fire department since 2013, a message from the department said. He was part of its bingo committee and used his baking and cooking skills to make “delicious items” for its members and special events.

Richards’ son, Russ, was a junior firefighter at Holiday Park, company President Jackie Taylor said. She said that motivated him to be one of its company members, helping with its fundraising and events.

“It’s hard to describe Ron,” Taylor said. “He was this presence that was there. He was always quick with a joke and always willing to help. It’s a big loss, it really is. It’s a loss for his family, and it’s a loss for us.”

Richards also had been a member of Pitcairn Hose Company No. 1 for a year, said George Toth, a life member of that fire department. Russ Richards went on to be a firefighter there, Taylor said.

As at Holiday Park, Richards was a supportive member of Pitcairn, not a firefighter, Toth said.

“He enjoyed helping people,” he said. “He was a hard worker for us. He showed up for all our fundraisers. Since he was a baker, he always used to donate brownies for our fish fries.”

In addition to his son, Russ, Richards’ survivors include his wife, Becky; children, Rachel, Ryan and Rhiannon Richards; and a grandchild.

Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m., the time of services, Friday at Charles W. Trenz Funeral Home, 11110 Frankstown Road in Penn Hills.

According to his obituary, those attending are asked to wear “their best Pittsburgh sports gear rather than dress clothes.”

“Plum has been struck with so much tragedy, and we always come together to help each other,” Stepnick said. “I know we will wrap his wife, Becky, and children in that same caring and supportive way that Plum knows all too well.”