After world War II, Richard moved to Davenport, Iowa with his parents. When he became of age he was enrolled in the public school system for two years before returning to Manchester, N.H. where he enrolled in the catholic school. In 1950, he moved to Beaumont, Texas with his family where he completed his elementary and high school studies there. After graduation from high school, he attended Lamar College of Technology, San Jacinto College and the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa where he received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1965. He is licensed to practice in Texas, New Hampshire and Florida.
He was associated with his father for many years until his father retired from practice and moved to Virginia. Richard is now owner of the Brassard Chiropractic Clinics of Beaumont and Port Arthur, Texas and also serves as Director of the First Texas Bank, Vidor, Texas and is secretary to that Board. He is also Vice-president of the Vidor Bank Corp.
Richard has been active in volunteer work both civic and professional, local, state and national. He was a member of the Beaumont Lion’s Club, Knights of the Neches, Young Mens Business League, Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Beaumont Jaycees, YMCA District Health and Safety Committee, Boy Scouts of America, March of Dimes and others. Governor Preston Smith appointed him of a six-year term on the Texas Commission on Services to Children and Youth and he became Vice Chairman of the Commission.
His professional affiliations include Past President of the Sabine Chiropractic Association, Past President of the Texas Chiropractic Association, District 9; Past President, Texas Chiropractic Association; appointed to a 6 year term by Governor Dolph Brisco to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, becoming President of that State Agency; Diplomate of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; Past President TIC-JAC (Texas Insurance and Chiropractic Joint Advisory Committee); East Texas Delegate to the A.C.A. House of Delegates; Texas Alternate Delegate to the American Chiropractic Association, member of the Palmer Chiropractic College Alumni. He was named to the Texas Chiropractic College Board of Regents, 1985 and served for 6 years. He has been active in his church and served as instructor for Pre-marriage classes, a member of the Finance Committee and is currently a Eucharistic Minister. Richard served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, receiving an Honorable Discharge.
Richard’s awards include Texas Young Chiropractor of the year by the Texas Chiropractic Association (1975); Fellow International College of Chiropractic – F.I.C.C. (Hon.) 1984; Beaumont Outstanding Young Man, Beaumont Jaycees; Honorary Admiral Texas Navy; Jaycee Key Man Award (2 years); Senator, Jaycees Texas Legislature; nominated as one of Five Outstanding Young Men in Texas; received the Presidential Award of the American Chiropractic Association as well as ACA Meritorious Service Awards each year from 1985 to 1988. Listed in “outstanding Young Men in America” 1970, “Who’s Who in Texas”, 1973-1974, “Personalities of the South”, 1973-1974, “Who’s Who in Chiropractic”, 1977-78-79-80. Richard was a frequent guest speaker at most Chiropractic Colleges on Practice Management as National Chairman of the ACA Practice Management Committee and has also served on two occasions as Master of Ceremonies at the ACA National Convention in 1991 and 1994.
An active participant in the Democratic party, he was elected Jefferson County, Texas Democratic Precinct Chairman four terms; served on the City of Beaumont Charter Revision Commission; and was a member of the Southeast Texas Regional Health Planning Council.
Barbara Lee Smith of Monroeville, Ohio (Past President of the Texas Chiropractic Auxiliary) and Richard were married in 1965. They have three daughters, Michelle Marie born July, 1966, DeNe Lisa, September, 1969, Tracy Lynn, October 1972, a grandson, Kristopher Leigh Guidry born in August, 1984 and two step grand daughters, Taylor and Randy Golden.
Richard was awarded the Keeler Plaque in 1991, 26 years after his father was similarly honored.
