Richardson Family Scholarship

The Richardson Family Scholarship was established in 1989. In 1950, Harry Richardson was appointed postmaster of Broken Bow, Nebraska, by President Harry S. Truman. It was an honor he held until his retirement in 1987. Harry grew up in Broken Bow and graduated from high school in 1940. He attended the University of Nebraska both before and after his service during World War II in the Burma India China theatre. He married Lenora McCarty in 1951, a 1941 graduate of Broken Bow High School. Harry emphasized to young people that the way to success is through an education. Life-long residents of Broken Bow, Harry and Lenora dedicated their lives to their family and community. They were the parents of four children and became benefactors to hundreds of students who have reaped the rewards from the Richardsons’ generosity. Lenora passed away in 1996, and Harry followed her in 2004.

P.G. Richardson, Harry’s father, proudly graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1913. He loved to learn and took advantage of the opportunities that awaited him in college. P.G. studied engineering at UNL and Findlay Engineering School in Missouri. He returned to Broken Bow in 1919 when he began working for Security State Bank. P.G. served as executive vice president and later chairman, until his retirement in 1980. He passed away in 1991 at the age of 95. P.G.’s wife, Margaret Murphy Richardson, and his daughter, Catherine Richardson Lane, were life-long members of the P.E.O. sisterhood as were his daughter-in-law, Lenora McCarty Richardson, and granddaughter, Mary Richardson Vaughan. All but daughter Catherine were life-long members of Chapter S—Broken Bow, Nebraska.

To apply the applicant must be a current graduating high school senior or first year college student who is a relative of a member of American Legion District 6 (cities listed below), ELKS – Broken Bow area, Masonic Custer Lodge #148 – Broken Bow, United Postmaster and Managers of America, or VFW District 11. The applicant may also have a G.E.D., be a graduating high school senior, or first year college student who has received services from CEDARS. Nebraska high school seniors or first year college students who have been accepted for admission to Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri and are sponsored by a Nebraska P.E.O. Chapter may also apply.

CITIES IN NEBRASKA AMERICAN LEGION DISTRICT 6
Ansley, Arcadia, Arnold, Ashton, Aurora, Bartlett, Belgrade, Boelus, Brewster, Broken Bow, Burwell, Cairo, Callaway, Central City, Comstock, Dannebrog, Doniphan, Elm Creek, Fullerton, Genoa, Gibbon, Grand Island, Greeley, Hampton, Kearney, Litchfield, Loup City, Mason City, Merna, Miller, North Loup, Oconto, Ord, Palmer, Pleasanton, Ravenna, Sargent, Scotia, Shelton, Silver Creek, Spalding, St. Paul, Wolbach and Wood River.