Richard F. Maher

Richard F. Maher, 87, of North Little Rock, passed away on Wednesday August 9, 2017, at Malvern, Ark. Richard was born September 14, 1929, in Alton, IL, to Fred and Helen (Meyer) Maher. He grew up in Pine Bluff, AR, and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1947. On August 20, 1954, he married the former Viola Susan Brown, of Pine Bluff, in Upper Darby, Pa. Richard was proudly employed as a machinist and supervisor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, later the Union Pacific Railroad for over 30 years. In his spare time, he was an avid Razorback fan, a skilled motorcyclist, and a master engine tinkerer. Richard spent many of his retirement years as the captain and owner of three different houseboats on Lake Ouchita. He will be remembered by his friends at the lake as the consummate marina handyman who was always willing to rescue a neighbor or provide mechanical expertise at any time day or night. Richard was a very supportive husband who stayed by his wife's side throughout 63 years of marriage. As a father, he was always willing to bait his daughter's hook while fishing or offer coaching advice to his son on the basketball court. Richard will be most remembered for his integrity, his profound patience, his dry wit, and his heart of gold. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. Richard is survived by wife, Susan Brown Maher, daughter, Melissa Ford (David) of Hoboken, N.J.; granddaughters, Sarah Ford Madden (Matthew) of Beijing, China, and Mary Kathleen Ford of Atlanta, Ga.; grandson, Noah Bradley Maher, and his mother, Lisa Loftis Johnson and her son, Alex Wade all of Malvern, Ark.; niece, Marnie Huff Davidson of Little Rock, Ark.; and nephew, Dawson Thomas Huff of Apopka, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patricia Maher Huff; and son, Philip Bradley Maher. A graveside service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, August 12th. at Rest Hills Memorial Park, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, Ark. 72117. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Rest Hills Funeral Home. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggettresthills.com.