Sgt. Robert William Richards, USMC (Ret.), 28, of St. Petersburg died on Wednesday, August 13th, 2014, at his home in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

A native of St. Petersburg, he was born on February 25, 1986, at Bayfront Medical Center.

He graduated from Florida Air Academy in Melbourne, Florida, in 2004. In January 2007, Robert enlisted in the USMC and faithfully served for six-and-a-half years, serving in three combat deployments in Afghanistan in support Operation Enduring Freedom.

Throughout his career, Robert served with the Scout Sniper Platoon, and in 2009 earned the official title of Scout Sniper. During his military career, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four stars, as well as numerous other unit and personal awards.

He is described by his fellow Marines as a selfless leader, a dedicated Marine, and a faithful friend.

He is his mother's hero.

He married the love of his life, Raechel, in 2007.

Sgt. Richards is survived by his wife, Raechel; his mother, Cate Richards; his maternal grandparents, Col. Bill Collins, U.S. Army (Ret.) and Ann Collins; his paternal grandmother, M.D. Richards; his mother and father-in-law, R. Edward and Jan W. Bradford; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Preceding him in death are his father, Dean Turner Richards; his paternal grandfather, Robert L. Richards, who both served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at Anderson-McQueen Family Tribute Center, 2201-Dr. M.L. King St. N., St. Petersburg, Florida.

A graveside funeral service with full military honors will be held at 9:15 am on Friday, August 22, 2014, at Bay Pines National Cemetery.

Internment of Sgt. Richards will be held at a final resting service at Arlington National Cemetery in February 2015.

In lieu of flowers, his family would prefer donations to the Sgt. Rob Richards Memorial Fund established to defray final costs as well as to fund charities in which Rob was passionate. Memorial donations can be sent through Gofundme.com/d47680.

Condolences can be left at JDNews.com.