Richard Royce Runser

Richard Royce Runser was born July 21, 1940 in Tolleson, AZ. Growing up on a dairy farm in Arizona was a hard existence for the oldest of 5 children. He learned to work hard very young and did his whole life. He graduated college at 20 and taught for 2 years in Montana before moving to 'The cold and wild north country' of Alaska at the age of 22 to begin teaching in Delta Junction. Richard married at 23 and moved his family to Anchorage, just months before the 1964 earthquake, where he taught science for 34 years before retiring in 1993.
Richard loved the wild outdoors of Alaska, spending summers camping, logging, doing construction and commercial fishing in Denali, Fairbanks, Nebesna, Coopper River, Kenai and Kiana. After his marriage to Margie Ann (Gilmore) Runser on June 10, 1991, he spent his time enjoying snowmachining and world travel. He rode and worked on the Iditarod Trail as well as to Dawson City, their cabin and over glaciers, exploring all of Alaska that he could see. He also wrote and published a book about snowmachining in Alaska with his wife, Margie.
His fall into a glacier crevasse on his snowmachine in March 1997 changed his life forever as he was left paralyzed from the chest down. This did not stop him! He continued to snowmachine and travel the world. Thanks to his wife, Margie who made sure accommodations were made to get him onto The Great Wall of China and many other amazing places. He very much enjoyed the wonders of the world in so many different countries, it is hard to keep track! He loved spending time with his 7 children, 16 grandchildren and 29 great/great great grandkids.
He was always the best teacher in life lessons. He also was dedicated to his church family and many friends. He never quit. To the very end, he tried to live his life to the fullest and share his love of life with those around him.
He is survived by his wife, Margie Ann Runser of Chugiak, Alaska; his sister, Betty Gail Irwin of California, his daughters, Mary Manners of Anchorage, AK, Gail Taylor of Wasilla, AK, Susan Sauer of Fairbanks, AK, Brenda Davila of Palmer, AK as well as his son, Jack Runser of Dayton, OH; his other children, Russell Hancock and Cindi Hope; sister in laws, Lela Ayers and Pam Gilmore; his grandchildren, Ella Marie, Carmen, Danielle and Frederick Updegraff, Marriah, Marshall, Aubrie, Joshua and Issaiah Taylor, Rain and Talon Davila, Ben Hancock, Troy Philips, Maranda Redmond, Jennie Grajewski and his 29 great grandchildren/great great grandchildren.
It is requested by the family that in lieu of flowers, any donations go to the United Methodist Church of Chugiak as Richard was an avid and dedicated member of his church who cared deeply for his Lord and savior.
Memorial Service will be held at United Methodist Church of Chugiak, 16430 Old Glen Hwy, Chugiak, AK 99567 on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 3pm with a reception to follow. (Open to the public)
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