About Alma Richards
Lived 1890 – 1963 (aged 73). Alma Richards was an American lawyer, teacher, farmworker, science teacher and athletics competitor.
Biography Richards graduated from Brigham Young High School in 1913 and then attended Cornell University with a scholarship, where he was also a member of the Quill and Dagger honor society. He earned a law degree.
He served in the US Army during World War I. He was discharged as a first lieutenant.
Rather than practice law, he chose to teach science at Venice High School in Los Angeles for 32 years. Helms Hall of Fame, and Brigham Young University Hall of Fame. Richards was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, their first member to compete in the Olympics.
A movie, Raising the Bar: The Alma Richards Story was released in April 2025. It was written and directed by LDS filmmaker, T.C. Christensen, who is a grand-nephew of Alma Richards.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Alma Richards?
American Olympic high jump gold medalist athlete, soldier, lawyer and teacher (1890–1963)
When was Alma Richards born?
Alma Richards was born on 20 February 1890 in Parowan.
When did Alma Richards die?
Alma Richards died on 3 April 1963 in Long Beach.
What was Alma Richards's occupation?
Alma Richards was a lawyer, teacher, farmworker, science teacher and athletics competitor.
What nationality was Alma Richards?
Alma Richards was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alma Richards. https://biography.guide/alma-richards/
MLA: "Alma Richards." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alma-richards/.
Chicago: "Alma Richards." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alma-richards/.
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