Steven Ray Richardson was born on August 18th, 1949 to Raymond and Janet (Carlson) Richardson in Ventura, California. As a child, he lived with his parents and older sister JoAnne in Oxnard, CA. The family moved back and forth between California and Minnesota during his school years. As a young student he engaged in marksmanship, water polo, and choir. He worked for his father as a brick tender, spending summers roaming beaches, breaking in ponies for his uncles, and swimming with cousins at Net Lake. He attended St. John's Lutheran Elementary in Oxnard, Folwell Jr. High in Minneapolis, and Lompoc High School prior to graduating from Sandstone High School in 1967.

He attended the University of Minnesota prior to being drafted into the U.S Army in 1969. He served in the A Company of the 1/87th Infantry in Germany until being honorably discharged from active duty in 1971. After serving, he attended classes at Bemidji State University, then Metro State Junior College in Minneapolis. He also took courses at Anoka Ramsey Community College later in life.

He was married to Sue Ellen Frye in 1973 in Pine County, eventually settling in Sandstone, MN.  Together, they had two children, Josh and Anna. The couple then divorced. He later had his third child, Benny, with Eveline Soelberg.

Steve worked for the Burlington Northern Railway as a track laborer and equipment operator from 1973 until 1998. He loved the historical and practical significance of the railroads, and took thousands of photos of trains, bridges and equipment during his career. He served on the Sandstone City Council (1989-1992) and the Pine County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors (1990-2002). He respected farmers and laborers, and believed deeply in conservation and the protection of our natural world. He also had a keen interest in local history and contributed his time and knowledge as a Sandstone History and Arts Center board member and President, and as a board member of the Pine County Historical Society. He loved interviewing community elders about their historical memories.

Steve was always himself, always entertaining, and helped others feel great about who they were. He adored his grandchildren, often arriving with odd little gifts for them. He loved family reunions and taught his children and grandchildren the importance of family history. Most winters, he would travel to visit his sister JoAnne's family at their goat farm in Pioneertown, CA.

Steve loved music and was a dear friend to many musicians. He was proud of founding the Concert in the Quarry in Sandstone. He loved playing and supporting live music. He volunteered on the Winnipeg Folk Festival site crew and competed in numerous jug band competitions. He taught himself to play the washtub bass and had many gigs alongside his friends and heroes. He even acted and sang in a hometown production of "The Music Man".

Steve had a huge passion for collecting almost everything! He loved hunting for treasures and would always stop for a garage sale. He took pride in researching the history behind his acquisitions and he bought and sold antiques most of his adult life. He was a dealer and employee at Antiques America in Hinckley, MN for over 20 years.

He passed away suddenly but peacefully on January 28th, 2022 at the age of 72. While he left us way too soon, he was happy and vibrant to the very end. Steve is survived by his children, Joshua (Jennifer Kalpin) Richardson, Anna (Cory Muir) Richardson, Benjamin Ray Gordon; his grandchildren Raymond and Scarlett Muir and Clive, Liliana, Aria and Kai Gordon; his sister JoAnne (Bill) Gosen and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and niece, Gina Gosen, as well as many beloved aunts and uncles.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Steve on Sunday, May 15, 2022 beginning at 1 p.m. at the SandRocks Pub located at 421 Commercial Avenue, Sandstone, MN.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN.