Don Richards, a former Milwaukee alderman and advocate for housing rights in the city, has died at 89 years old.
Richards died December 26, according to his obituary.
He served on the Common Council from 1988 to 2004, representing the city’s north and northwest sides before retiring for health reasons. While in office, he was a member of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, the Housing Authority and City Records Committee.
In the 1960s, Richards took part in marches protesting a lack of open housing laws, before spending nearly two decades as a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Richards ran unsuccessfully for Wisconsin State Representative in 1982 and alderman in 1984. He also worked as an economic development specialist with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation.
After his career at City Hall, he taught classes at Alverno College on local government beginning in 1998.
Visitation will be held for January 8 from 10:00am until the time of his funeral at Alvina of Milwaukee Chapel (9301 North 76th Street). His burial will be at Holy Cross cemetery in Sheboygan.
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