Walter Thomas "Skeeter" Richards III

Walter Thomas Richards III, or “Skeeter” as he was known to his loved ones and friends, passed away peacefully at his Pepperell home in the early hours of Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Groton on July 19, 1953, son of the late Carolyn (Anne) Sutton and Walter Thomas Richards, Jr., Skeeter was a lifelong resident of Pepperell.

Skeeter was the beloved husband of 49 years to Pamela A. (Landry) Richards. He is survived by eight children: Walter Thomas Richards IV and partner Keri, Christopher Richards and wife Emily, Dustin Richards, Justin Richards, Michael Richards, Marlayna Richards, Michaela Richards, and Matthew Richards; three grandchildren, Angelina Richards & Sullivan Richards, Sonny Richards, and Walter Thomas Richards V, “Finn”; his siblings, Jean Gibson, Cheryl Bourque and husband Stephen, and Michael Richards and wife Cheri; Raymond “Alex” Larochelle, who Skeeter considered a son; Katie St. Yves, his best buddy and partner in crime; and Charlotte McGrath Connor, who has done everything to support Skeeter and his family throughout his illness. He also leaves behind many friends and coworkers from his 1A Auto Family that will miss him dearly.

Raised in Pepperell, Skeeter graduated from North Middlesex Regional High School in 1971. After high school, he went on a cross-country trip all throughout the United States before returning home to Pepperell. He met his future wife, Pam at the former Knights of Columbus Hall and together they raised their family in Pepperell.

Skeet was employed as a carpenter, building local homes before working for Bemis Bag and Horn Packaging as a machinist. For the last 16 years he worked as a Facilities Engineer for 1A Auto and played an important role in the business establishing their new facilities on Mill Street. Throughout his illness and absence from work, he was a loyal and trusted resource, always a phone call away, for any questions he could answer or assistance he could provide to his coworkers.

Skeeter will be remembered as a reliable, kindhearted, and trustworthy man. He would often go out of his way to help others. He enjoyed traveling, meals out with his family, and tinkering around the house. He even took up beekeeping with his son Matthew for a short while. His presence will be deeply missed, but his family takes comfort in knowing that he is at peace.

The Richards Family would like to acknowledge and thank Brit & Sheila from VNA Hospice Care for their kindness and compassion in Skeeter’s final days.

RICHARDS – Walter Thomas III, “Skeeter” a lifelong Pepperell resident, peacefully at home on July 29, 2026. In accordance with his wishes, a Celebration of Life is being planned for later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Beth Israel Cancer Center Fund, where Skeeter received excellent care and treatment throughout his illness (https://bidmc.org/giving)