Stockbridge, Vt. —
After selling his interest in the Brandon farm to his brother Brian in 1996, the family moved to Stockbridge and he worked for Simpson Construction Company for several years before beginning his work at Twin Farms in Barnard where he worked for 23 years until his death taking great pride in his work in the gardens of Vermont’s first five-star resort.
Richard and his wife Cheryl Pratt were married in 1978. Together they operated River Echo Morgans breeding, raising, training and competing world class champion Morgan trotting and carriage horses. Richard competed successfully himself, but most often supported Cheryl. Together the pair trained and competed a Vermont Morgan gelding who won several National titles and became the first American horse to win the marathon phase of the World Singles Driving Championships.
He held several positions of public service: first in Brandon where he served on the zoning board of adjustment and then in Stockbridge where he served as chair of the Planning Commission for many years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Dairy herd Improvement Association, the fist Board of Directors of the Brandon Farmer’s Market, and on the Board of Directors of the Vermont Morgan Horse Association.
He is survived by his wife Cheryl Pratt Rivers, a son Nathan P. Rivers, both of Stockbridge, a brother Brian D. Rivers of Brandon and two nieces Morgan and Riley Rivers.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on April 9 at the Stockbridge Meeting House on Stockbridge Common at 1 p.m.