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Richard Searles Obituary
Richard "Dick" Thomas Searles died on 8 June 2020 at the age of 85, in his home in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in 1934 in Phoenix, Arizona to A.V. "Doc" and Beatrice Searles. He graduated from North High School in Phoenix and went on to receive B.A. and M.A. degrees from Arizona State University and the University of Wyoming. He served in the US Army from 1957-1960. In 1960 he married Mary Sue Barnes; they had two children, Eugene and Denise, and divorced in 1974. He subsequently worked as a high school teacher, an author, in a job corps center, and as an insurance agent.
Richard was a true raconteur who engaged with everyone he met. He enjoyed singing, from his college barbershop quartet to his Unitarian Universalist Church choir. He passed on his enjoyment of pulp sci-fi, hiking, and stargazing to both of his children, and enjoyed spending time with his grandson Jared, who predeceased him. He was devoted to the multiple generations of cats who shared his home, and loved to describe (and indulge) each one's particular quirks and habits.
He is survived by his son Eugene and his wife JoAnne, his grandchildren Ray (wife Becky) and Joey (wife Toni); his great-grandchildren Maddie and Ray, Jr.; his daughter Denise and her wife Celeste; his brother Dennis and his wife Carol; his sisters-in-law JoEllen and Meg; his significant other Pam; and his cat Archie.
A virtual memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Planned Parenthood, an organization he strongly supported.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Searles
6 Entries
Barbara A Payton
June 16, 2020
What a treat is was for my late husband,Gene Hutloff, to receive a visit from his dear friend Dick after he had moved to San Antonio. The two of them would talk, no, verbally play, for hours. They revisited the good old days as buddies when each played a character from The Three Musketeers: Dick was Dartagnon, Gene Porthos. Then they would discuss life after death, & a diversity of topics in politics & philosophy. These visits from Dick were satisfying on the deepest level that friendship can attain, rich & profound. Dick's kindness & open-mindedness were infectious. After Gene passed away, Dick checked up on me often, & gave me relief from grief. I will miss his calls & Christmas cards. God bless him.
Whitney Conway (MA)
June 15, 2020
Rest In Heaven Mr. Searles!! You were such a great loving man. It was an honor to have you as a patient. God Bless
Marina Hutloff Thompson
June 14, 2020
Dick and my beloved father, Gene Hutloff, were lifelong friends. He had been a part of my life, long before my memories began. My memories of him were that he was a kind man, and could make my Dad laugh like no one else. They shared so much. And when my father died, Dick made the journey out to AZ for my fathers memorial, and sat beside me, his hand in mine, through the whole ceremony. I am eternally grateful for his simple act of kindness. A gesture that connected me to my father, for one final time, in a way that no one else could. My hope is that the two best friends are once again together. Singing.
Denis Searles
June 13, 2020
Dick was my big brother. When I exceeded him in height at nearly 6 feet he would stand close while introducing me and say "this is my little brother." He excelled at debate both in high school and college, and I often wished he had gone into law but his first love was education and teaching. He became fast friends with a few high school teachers and several college professors. He never met a person he didn't like and was a guiding force throughout my youth.
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