Richard H. Enga

Richard (Dick) H. Enga

May 11, 1940

October 26, 2022

Richard (Dick) Enga would not want a lot of sadness and moping around after his passing but it is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our adored husband, devoted father and 'Opa' after years of struggling with Alzheimers. He was born on May 11, 1940, the youngest of 6 children (4 boys and 2 girls) to Albert and Myrtle (Harris) Enga in Minneapolis, MN. He is predeceased by his father, mother, brother Don, sisters Alva and Eleanor, sisters-in-laws Barbara and Judy, his first wife Catherine (Remes) Enga and 2 sons Philip and Michael.

As a teenager he came from humble beginnings and had a rough go of it at the start of his young life. Dick lived with his brother Don and his wife Barbara in Richfield, MN and attended Richfield High School. He used his talents and penchant for "healthy aggression" and channeled it into positive ways by excelling in both academics and athletics, graduating in 1958. He lettered in 3 different sports but was most outstanding in football because, as he said, "I could hit people and not get in trouble for it." As a result, he received a Williams Scholarship to the University of Minnesota. He hit the books just as hard as his unfortunate opponents and completed his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Psychology while being a prominent player on the 1960 National Championship team, attending the Rose Bowl. After graduating in 1963, he was drafted but chose the Air Force and began a lifetime career.

Dick married Diana (Laurent) and they enjoyed an active, loving life of 52 years together and raised 3 incredible children, Dan, Kirsten (Marcus Van Ooyen) and RJ (Jessica). They also have 5 beautiful granddaughters - Rylee (Alan Torres), PJ, Kaelin, Makenna, Catie and 1 accomplished step-grandson Gage Grafton.

Dick was ferociously protective of those he loved and was always at the ready to step in the gap for them whenever it was needed. Dick did not mince words and you always knew where he stood. Most people found him to be an easy-to-talk to mentor and teacher. He could carry on conversations with strangers long after the check came and could charm his way onto rock-star tour busses. He could make tough conversations palatable and always had a knack for irreverence that melted the hearts of those around him.

Through his Air Force career of just over 21 years, Dick was stationed in Texas, Michigan, Alabama, Viet Nam ('71), Germany, California and finally at the United States Air Force Academy. While in Texas, Germany and California Dick continued his football career playing and coaching on Air Force Base teams. In 1977 he got a call from Ben Martin, the head football coach at the Air Force Academy, and was able to join the coaching staff. When he retired from the Air Force he was hired as a civilian coach and coached for a total of 29 seasons, from 1977-2006. During that time, he also was the head coach at the Prep School for 3 seasons. Dick was a motivator, leader and mentor. He adored coaching football and the fact that his players adored him too was proof of him living out his passion. Dick didn't like laziness and worked very hard and he expected those around him to do the same.

Dick was not necessarily known for being the most patient person and many funny stories originated from that fact. We formally apologize now to all those who happened to be driving in front of him on the interstate from 1977 to 2009.

Dick was a man of incredible energy, strong character, warm integrity and had an amazingly playful spirit. He always had a soft spot for young children and had a natural capacity for play and could draw in others to a degree where - before you knew it - you were sharing bits of yourself that you wouldn't share with your closest friends. He loved ice cream with melted peanut butter and chocolate. He loved a well-mowed yard. He loved music and at one point had at least a mile of speaker wire strewn throughout his home connected to over 20 speakers. He loved the holidays and shopping and the looks on his children's faces on Christmas morning. He loved showing off his oddly great dance moves at parties. He liked new clothes and had over 200 ties and sweaters and lots of suits and shoes too! The man liked to look nice when he left the house.

He loved poking fun at others just to get a reaction and he could not be embarrassed! He had the unique ability to laugh at himself in all situations. We think it was a mix of psychology and curiosity. He loved human nature. He loved animals. He loved making breakfast in the morning for his three kids before school. He loved fishing up in Minnesota with his sons, brother and others during the annual Walleye opener. He loved being on the water in the earliest parts of the morning. He loved laughing and talking around the dinner table. He loved to shop for himself and his family and there were always little surprises for his kids when he came home from football recruiting trips. He loved coaching his players and he loved the game of football, the sport that taught him so much about life and himself. He loved his wife and family more than anything and was a great provider.

In the summer there were road trips to the Midwest that were always full of adventure and antics, fishing, fireflies and building core memories with his family. He had a great sense of humor, and there will be generations of family that will likely utter an "Opa-ism" for years to come. He was just plain fun to be around.

Dick was a man of great wisdom and had a way of communicating life lessons that were simple and profound at the same time. As he would say to his kids more than once during their upbringing: "You gotta get after it now."

Regardless of what one chose to do, Dick urged that you do it with a full heart of passion and commitment, and don't mind the mistakes that might be made, "That just means that you have room to get better and that's what it's all about."

Those that loved and knew him most can collaboratively shout that his life was filled with a heart of passion and commitment and we can only pray that we can get as close to that light.

The man scored a touchdown on the last play of the game! The crowd goes crazy as time runs off the game clock. Dick is hoisted on the shoulders of angels as they carry him off to celebrate a game well played, a life well lived and only a few penalties here and there to make it interesting. He is watching over us and still urging us on and if we listen we will hear him telling us to "Play hard and have fun!"

Our family would like to thank the caregivers at Brookdale Briargate for caring for Dick the last few months. You are all angels and what you do is so vital. Also the nurses at Pikes Peak Hospice at Penrose, made the last times for Dick and us so peaceful. Thank you all from our hearts.

At his request there will not be a funeral, but instead, a Celebration of his Life on December 11, 2022 from 1-5 pm at the Marriott Tech Center.