Milford’s Ice Cream Legend- Richie

Hello Milford Family and Beyond! The original ice cream man of our Small City with a Big Heart, Richie Anderson, was in a serious accident in his ice cream truck on June 29th, 2021.

Richie has been serving ice cream throughout our town for as long as I can remember. At least 35 years! He frequents the baseball fields, Eisenhower Park, the beaches and on a personal level, has attended so many of my family birthday parties and private sports celebrations. Richie has given my kids ice cream when we didn’t have cash, he’s got vanilla cups for my dogs, and he’s even let my sons check out the inside of his cool truck. My neighborhood sometimes feels like we’re still in the 80’s- kids playing outside until dark, on bikes and in pools-wherever the kids are, they are sure to stop whatever they are doing when they hear the ice cream man’s famous bell ring. I’m truly devastated at the thought that we won’t hear that bell ring again.

I do not know Richie’s current condition, but I do know that as a community we can help him. The money may be needed for medical bills, but my true wish is that Richie can heal from this accident and get out there doing what he loves to do so much. I can just hear him now at the ball park saying to me, “Allison, what time do you think the baseball game is wrapping up? Maybe I’ll swing by Gulf Beach and come back when the game ends.” Matter of fact, just a couple of weeks ago, my youngest son heard Richie’s bell ring, but we were too late. We sat out front waiting and I told my little boy that I thought Richie had already come. I decided to give Richie a call on his cell phone. Sure enough he said, “Hi Allison, I was just over there, but I’m already by Jonathan Law now.” He promised he’d be back tomorrow. I surely hope there are more tomorrow’s ahead with Richie, our favorite ice cream man.