Raymond Richter

Raymond C. Richter



Raymond

Richter, who passed away at the age of 86, rose above a difficult childhood to become a kind, humble, compassionate man who liked to help others and disliked conflict. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he moved his family to Albuquerque in 1973.

Ray was introduced to his wife Deana, who survives him, by a mutual friend. They said "I do" five months later and were happily married for 38 years. Their union created a family like the Brady Bunch in reverseâ€"he had two mostly grown daughters and Deana had two young sons. Now they are grown with families of their own, giving him seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who all survive him: Daughter Jackie Richter; her daughter, Catherine Wahler and Cathy's son, James; and son Kenneth and his wife Katie Mummey and their daughters, Olivia and Evelyn. Daughter Kellie and her husband James Vikdal and their family, her daughter Christina

Mahoney, and James' daughter Krystal and her husband Brandon Gutierrez and their daughters, Kendall and Addison; and James' daughter,

Ashley Vikdal. Son Jason Rupley. And son Casey Rupley and his children, Myah and Jacob. Nancy Richter Petrie, Ray's first wife and mother of Jackie and Kellie, preceded him in death. Ray is survived by his sister, Marcia

Winter and her children; Raymond Maxwell, Judith Carrell, Ruth Robertson, Gretchen Cornwall, and Tracy Cromwell. Marcia's daughter, Shirley Green, preceded him in death.

As a Dad, Ray was always there when the kids needed something. Car trouble, motorcycle problems, life's problemsâ€"he had the knowledge, tools, desire, and wisdom to help. He and Deana loved traveling in their camper, clocking thousands of miles around the US. He also loved spending time at their property near Bluewater Lake, especially family gatherings and sitting around the campfire at night.

Ray said he was fortunate to make a career out of his hobbyâ€"working on cars. His mechanical career began with airplanes in the Navy, where he completed Aircraft Engine School. Upon his Naval discharge, he completed the Airframe & Powerplant Mechanics Curriculum at Northrup Institute of Technology, after which he switched to cars because of the greater opportunities for work and pay. In his 60-year career, he was a heavy line mechanic, shop foreman/assistant service manager, truck shop working foreman, body shop frame specialist, body shop assistant manager, and auto body technician in several Albuquerque dealerships. He most enjoyed the challenge of figuring out how to put wrecked cars back together like new, each one a different puzzle. He completed I-CAR and other training for General Motors & Ford Motor Company and was an ASC, I-CAR and Chevrolet Certified Mechanic. When a shop had a car problem they couldn't figure out, they gave it to Ray to solve.

Ray would like to be remembered as a person who believed in treating others with kindness and respect and who liked to lend a helping hand. Though a quiet man who didn't always reach out and express his feelings, he loved his family with all his heart. A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Albuquerque at 3:00 on Saturday, August 13, 2022