He was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 7, 1928 to the late Ruth and John A. Mills. Richard started working for Kemper Insurance at the age of 15, and retired 42 years later as a Statistical Actuary. He married Ethel Ellen Rutter in 1951, served as a Temporary Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, and resided in the Chicago area until 1990 when they relocated to Punta Gorda where they were afforded the pleasure of World Wide Travel.

He leaves behind his loving children, Roxanne Fiedor of Chicago, IL, Richard (Cindy) Mills of Tampa, FL, and Kristine (John) Torvik of Cape Coral, FL; grandsons, Brian and Colt Mills of Tampa; his brother, John (Mildred) Mills of New Mexico; cousins, Kathleen, Mike (Kathleen), Timothy (Terry) McCabe. In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by a brother, Tom, son-in-law, Frank Fiedor, and his loving wife of 51 years, Ethel. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, and his best friend and cherished companion of 7 years, Rachel (Beck).