"Lit a candle in memory of Richard E. Kuhn"
In loving memory of
Richard E. Kuhn
July 27, 1946 - May 30, 2015
Richard Earl Kuhn was born on July 27, 1946 in Storm Lake, Iowa, the son of Earl Kuhn and Violet Kuhn. He passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at his home in Denison, Iowa at the age of 68.
Richard grew up on the farm in Albert City, Iowa. He received his education, graduating from Albert City-Truesdale High School in 1964. He was a member of the United States Army and he served his country from 1964 until 1966. He then attended Fort Dodge Community College and went on to graduate from Des Moines Area Community College with a teaching degree in the mid 1990s.
Through the years, Richard held various jobs related to mechanics, his favorite of which was teaching mechanics at Western Iowa Tech. Richard was great with children - He loved to play with kids and to tease them - This was a quality he learned from his father.
Cars were Richard’s passion, along with drag racing. His racing career started when he raced his pony in the Chuck Wagon Races at the Clay County Fair when he was in junior high. He switched to cars once he was old enough for a driver’s license and raced for approximately 40 years. Family members, especially Mike Kuhn and his family, and close friends spent many weekends drag racing at many different tracks. Richard’s garage with his MOPAR sign was his haven! One of his last wishes was to hear the engine of his 1970 Duster. His good friends rallied and finished the car so that he could hear it.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Earl. Survivors include his mother, Violet; two children: Darrin and Leanne; one sister Donna and her husband Dennis; two nephews: Christopher and his wife Donna L. and their children Nathan and Lynsey; Jay and his wife Stacie and their children Emmy and Karlee; close friends: Patrick and Melinda , Bill and Dianne, Larry and Cindy, and Arlo; other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations or memorials to the charity of your choice.
Tributes
"We have lost a dear friend. I will remember Richard for his wild horse and buggy rides, his love for cars, his sense of humor and his huge heart. He filed a room with love and laughter. We will greatly miss him. Joy and Jim Miller, class of 1964"
"Back when I started nursing school at Western Iowa Tech in Denison, Richard taught the auto classes. I didn't know him, nor he me. He'd catch me trying to look in the auto shop to see what they were working on, I guess there weren't many girls that did that for the same reasons I did. It wasn't long before we started talking and developed a friendship. A couple years ago I started racing and Richard was there every step of the way, whether it was calling me on the phone asking how my car was running or putting long hours in with me in the shop or in his. I feel blessed to have had the little time I had with him.. I still want to call or text him and it's hard knowing I can't anymore. Prayers to Violet and the rest of his family. He was such a great man."
"Rick was always a kind and considerate classmate. He helped change a tire for me while in high school-with a smile on his face the whole time! When our daughter moved to Denison for a new teaching job he made the effort to go to her school, meet her and offer his help if she ever needed it. That meant a lot to us! Our sympathy to the family. He will be missed! Ben & Judy Malcom (Class of 1964)"
"Great picture of Rick in his red car. That is exactly how I will remember him---a big, infectious smile and a soft heart. Our sympathies to all of his family. Reese and Linda Harris (Class of 1964)"
"Taken at the AC-T Class of 1964 45th reunion in August 2009. Richard was understandably proud of his "hot rod.""