Obituary of Nils Samuel Richards

Our dear, beloved son, Nils, passed away on Feb. 8, 2022. He was 41 years old. We are completely heartbroken, we loved him with all our soul. Nils was a beautiful, passionate soul, with strong opinions and great enthusiasm for his many interests, especially literature, philosophy, art, film and music. He grew up in South Minneapolis, the oldest of five, with three brothers and one sister. It was a happy childhood, with lots of good times in the neighborhood, playing basketball, collecting sports and Marvel cards, fishing, skateboarding, trips up to Lake Superior, and great times at his grandparents' home in Albert Lea. Nils' family was very important to him. He also really enjoyed his years in elementary school, first at Northrop, then Seward Montessori, and later at Southwest High School. He then attended college at MCTC for several years, then to St. Thomas, where he graduated with a double major in philosophy and classical languages. He received his Masters in Philosophy from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and then went on to the University of Iowa, Iowa City for a year and a half in a PhD program. During these years, Nils worked at various jobs, including a guard at the MIA, bookstore clerk, library assistant, student teaching, and substitute teaching. He was also amassing a vast collection of books. Nils had a brilliant intensity, was very sociable, charming, funny, and sometimes difficult. He was very attached to the past and was an "old soul". He was quite a presence, always very fashionably dressed, outwardly confident, but underneath very tenderhearted. He was also a very good writer, and never wanted to settle for "ordinary". He was well loved by so many. In these last four years, following the death of his beloved brother, Harry, from cancer, Nils was struggling to find his place. In his grief, he dropped out of his PhD program, which had been a long-term dream of his, to go on to be a professor of philosophy. He suffered from depression and undiagnosed bipolar disorder but was unable to get help for himself. We tried so hard to help him, but he ultimately succumbed to his drug addiction, which he had unfortunately turned to, to ease his pain. We are so devastated that we could not seem to help him break free from this terrible disease, and our lives will never be the same without our dear Nils in this world. We all loved him so much, no words can convey the pain that we are left with. We can only take solace in the hope that Nils is with Harry, in Heaven, guiding us from above, with their eternal love. Nils is preceded in death by his dear brother, Harrison (Sofia), and his beloved grandparents, Olaf and Lorraine Richards, Carmella Watkins and Louis Visco. He is survived by his loving parents, Steve Richards and Winnie Visco, his heartbroken siblings, Malcolm (Danielle), Willie (Malloree), and Claire. Also, his cousin, Jack, aunts and uncles, and many friends, especially Angel and Quinn. Services will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, March 12th at the Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave, St. Paul with a gathering of friends and family beginning at 11am. A small reception will follow. The service will be live streamed on our Facebook page starting at 12:00pm. Services will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, March 12th at the Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave, St. Paul with a gathering of friends and family beginning at 11am. A small reception will follow. The service will be live streamed on our Facebook page starting at 12:00pm.