On Sunday morning June 19th, 2016, the life of a young man with a charming and outgoing personality was tragically cut short at the age of 41. Steven Robert Richard, known to many of his dear friends as the "Rocket", was born in Waltham on January 24, 1975 to his beloved parents Robert J. Richard and Lucille Marie (Landry) Richard of Waltham. A graduate of Waltham High School with the Class of 1993, Steve was an outstanding star athlete and All-Scholastic Hockey Player with the Waltham High School "Hawks" Hockey Team. Throughout his high school career Steve played at the varsity level having earned the respect and admiration of many of his teammates as an outstanding player, so in his senior year he was named Captain of the hockey team. His talent did not go unnoticed by professional scouts with several National Hockey League organizations who recognized the high level of skill and had scouted many of his games. His physical presence and skill made him one of the most talented players of his time. His passion for Hockey and all sports started at a young age when his father took him to skate for the first time at the age of 4. He joined Waltham Youth Hockey and played for the Watertown Youth Midget Hockey Team and went on to the National Championship in Detroit, Michigan. As he grew older he had the opportunity to play with the Boston Jr. Braves and the Minuteman Flames. After graduation from High School, Steve furthered his education at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth. Leaving college Steve moved to Palo Alto, California for 8 years, where he began his professional career in sales as Enterprise Account Manager with the Hewlett Packard Corporation and the Oracle Corporation. As a young man and throughout his life he worked closely with his friend at Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapels as a Professional Assistant. Steve loved all sports and throughout his life would continue to play in adult hockey, softball and baseball leagues. For years he played in the Shoppers Hockey Cup Tournament and on the Shopper's & Donohue's Softball Teams. His talents reached far beyond his athletic ability; his charm, his personality, his love of life, and infectious smile could and would light up any room. Steve had a way of making everyone feel welcome as if they had been a friend for life. Everything revolved around his friends and especially his family. He loved bringing people together. Gatherings at the family home in Waltham or in Canada, it meant the world to Steve to be surrounded by family & friends. He is survived by his beloved parents Bob & Lucille, his devoted & loving sisters Nancy (Richard) Karaguezian and her husband Raffe of Waltham and Lisa (Richard) LeBlanc and her husband Thomas of Waltham and his adored nephews & nieces Derek Hogan and his wife Sarah of Goose Creek, SC, Brandon and Olivia Karaguezian, Sophia, Renee and Rhea LeBlanc all of Waltham and his adoring great niece Addison Hogan. In addition he is survived by many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, close & dear friends. Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral Services from the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody Street, WALTHAM on Saturday morning at 9:00 am with a Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Steven's Life in Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham at 10:30 a.m. Committal services will follow at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham. Visiting Hours will be held in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons on Friday from 3 - 8 p.m. Parking attendants will be on duty. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.