COLUMBIA - A memorial service for Donald Valentine Richardson III, will be held on Friday, November 26, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. A private entombment will be held prior to the service. Visitation will be held at the home on Thursday, November 25, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family will also receive family and friends following the service at the Richardson home. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
Mr. Richardson, husband of Elizabeth Anne Nelson Richardson, died Tuesday, November 23, 2010, after a courageous battle with liver cancer. Born in Florence, South Carolina on January 14, 1936, he was the son of Donald Valentine and Margaret Deans Richardson. He was raised in Georgetown, South Carolina and graduated from Winyah High School. Mr. Richardson served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1953-1961. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1958 where he was the commander of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1960. He also received a Mediation Certificate from Harvard University School of Law in 1996.
Mr. Richardson was a founder of the Richardson Plowden Law Firm (now Richardson Plowden &Robinson, P.A) in Columbia, South Carolina and continued to be of counsel until 1999. Highlights of his legal career include but not limited to being one of the first attorneys in South Carolina to be devoted to the defense of physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice actions across the state. He was a guest speaker at the invitation of medical societies across the state on topics regarding various medical liability and its defense. Mr. Richardson was recognized in the listing of Best Lawyers in America and co-authored numerous articles for publication.
He held bar memberships in the South Carolina Supreme Court, the South Carolina Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, the United States Supreme Court, the Richland County Bar, the South Carolina Bar and the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. He was a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel for which he also served as faculty member. He was a member and chairman of the South Carolina Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline and was elected to the Medical University of South Carolina Board of Visitors.
Mr. Richardson was a member of Trinity Cathedral, Forest Lake Club, The Camellia Ball and numerous other social organizations. He enjoyed his affiliation with friends in numerous wine clubs and was a generous supporter of many community organizations He was known by many as “Pop” and happily supported the activities of his grandchildren. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed visiting Pawley’s Island, South Carolina.
Not only was he one of the best lawyers in the state of South Carolina, he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Betty Anne Nelson Richardson; daughters Anne Richardson Seabrook ( Dr. March E. Seabrook); Deans Richardson Fawcett (Peter G. Fawcett); a son, Donald V. Richardson IV, all of Columbia; grandchildren, Nelson Seabrook, Richard Seabrook. Elizabeth Seabrook, Margaret Deans Fawcett, Gavin Fawcett, Patrick Fawcett, Donald Fawcett, Anne Fawcett and Rutherford Fawcett; sister, Peggy R. Hall of Marion, South Carolina; in-laws, Frances M. Nelson of Columbia and Carolyn and Marvin Wimberly of St. Matthews and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Trinity Cathedral Restoration Project, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Hammond School, 854 Galway Lane, Columbia, SC 29209 or to the charity of one’s choice.