Richard Adolf Bloch (February 15, 1926 – July 21, 2004)[1][2] was an American entrepreneur, and philanthropist best known for starting the H&R Block tax preparation and personal finance company with his older brother Henry in 1955.
[3][4] In the 4th grade, Bloch found a hand press in his uncle's attic and began his first business as a printer.
Bloch returned to Kansas City after graduating, married his wife, Annette, and began working in the municipal bond business.
While stranded on a San Francisco business trip, he realized his family in Kansas City was a top priority and returned.
In 1955, Henry and Richard Bloch renamed the business H&R Block, changing the spelling to avoid mispronunciation, and focused on tax preparation services.
[1] He was survived by his wife, Annette (née Modell),[5] daughters Linda Lyon, Barbara Stanny, and Nancy Linsely[1] and ten grandchildren.