Gene A. Richardson

Gene A. Richardson, BS ’54, MD ’57, died Dec. 4, 2024. Richardson was born at home in Kennett, MO, the youngest of five children. Growing up in Kennett, Richardson ran his own newspaper franchise and played tennis and football. He enjoyed choir and playing trumpet in a trio, the marching band and a jazz band.

After graduating from high school in 1950, Richardson attended Baylor, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1954. He played trumpet in Baylor’s Golden Wave Band and added rich bass harmonies to the Baylor Bards Men’s Chorus.

After graduating from Baylor College of Medicine in 1957, Richardson started a family practice in far west Sanderson, TX. In 1959, he married Mary Margaret Collins, ABC ’95, and in 1960, the couple moved to Galveston, where Richardson completed his residency in radiology before settling in Baytown, TX. Richardson practiced radiology, served on multiple hospital boards and was president of East Harris County Medical Society. In 1973, he cofounded a mobile nuclear medicine company to serve small U.S. hospitals.

In 1987, Richardson and his wife moved to Hideaway, TX. Richardson retired from radiology at 58 and pursued investing in resources, real estate and numismatic coins; fishing with family; golfing with the Hideaway Duffers; and snow skiing with friends in Crested Butte until age 80.

Richardson established a nonprofit organization, Ultrasound Fund for Latin America, which furnished ultrasound equipment and trained medical staff in small community hospitals in Mexico. Later he joined Helps International. With an ultrasound machine in his backpack, he traveled with medical professionals to treat patients in isolated areas of Guatemala, many of whom walked 30 miles or more to be seen.

As a lifelong learner, Richardson discovered other cultures and world history through travel. He and Mary joined Baylor in the British Isles for five summers, where Richardson and Professor Bill Hillis developed a course for pre-med students.

For 70 years, Richardson actively supported Baylor’s academics, athletics and mission, attending more than 220 Baylor football games.