Richard Edward "Rick" Kuchel

Richard Edward Kuchel, 69, passed away on June 25, 2025, at his home in Cabot, Arkansas with his wife, Cherri, by his side. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Rick's life was marked by adventure, determination, and unwavering love for his family and nature.

Rick's journey took him from Kansas City to Arkansas, then Dallas, Texas before settling in San Antonio, where he discovered his profound connection to nature. It was among the forest and cliffs behind his family's home that Rick spent hours each day learning about animals and birds of prey. He raised hawks, falcons, and owls and spent countless hours teaching his birds to hunt on nearby golf courses, beginning a lifelong passion for wildlife that would define much of who he was. In his early twenties, he raised over 100 purple ribbon pit bulls. His passion extended to all creatures – from the stray dogs he cared for to the abandoned baby squirrels he nursed back to health in a handmade cage. He loved animals deeply and was an advocate for animal welfare causes. Every winter evening, he could be found walking to his back gate to put out corn for the deer that visited. His compassion for wildlife was evident in everything he did, from spending an entire day pruning an old pear tree to ensure it would produce more fruit for the deer, to his devotion to the family's beloved pets, Bink and Tink, two Pomeranian Yorkie mixes. He was also an avid gardener who took great joy in growing food for his family and sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors. He loved music, something he shared with his wife and sons. He played a mean harmonica; something most probably didn't know about him.

A Navy veteran, Richard channeled his strong work ethic into multiple successful entrepreneurial ventures. Rick often described himself as "a jack of all trades and master of none," always eager to learn and better himself through new experiences to provide a good life for his family. His diverse career path reflected his adventurous spirit. Beginning in construction during his late teens and early twenties, Rick mastered the building trade. He founded Aqua Design Pools, which is where he met the love of his life, Cherri, while building her mother's pool. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to the mobile home business, then to building custom homes, and later to co-founding Sherwood RV with his friend, Todd Kammeyer. They helped families make memories selling campers and travel trailers for many years. Upon the sale of the company, Rick worked for several years at RV City and then took to the road as a boilermaker, traveling across the country and forming lifelong friendships wherever his work took him. He was one of the oldest guys working that type of job and was affectionately known as Pawpaw around the men he worked with. During that period, he bought a Jimmy's John's franchise in Hot Springs, and that business is thriving today.

Above all else, his priority was his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Cherri; his two sons, Dylan and Logan, and their wives, Miranda and Kanika; his sisters Lori Montgomery and her husband, Robert, Kathy Back, and Tracy Daniels; and his four cherished grandchildren, Bella, Kinsleigh, Odin, and Ember, who brought immense pride and joy to his life.

Rick was funny, strong, determined, and talented, but most importantly, he was loving. His legacy lives on in his devotion to his family, his respect for all living creatures, and his deep faith in God. He will be remembered as a man who built much more than homes and businesses – he built a legacy of love and integrity that will continue through his family and all the lives he touched.

A celebration of Richard's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025 at Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 700 N. 2nd Street with visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Old Austin Cemetery. Memorial may be made to the Grey Muzzle Society in honor of Richard's lifelong love of animals.