Richard O. Kaser

1932 - 2024

News story
By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer

Richard O. Kaser, a retired Sun Oil division manager who was a University of Toledo football standout and played professionally in the Canadian Football League, died Thursday in Kingston Residence of Sylvania. He was 91.

He'd been in declining health recently, his son David Kaser said. He and his wife, Pat, moved to Kingston about six months ago from Monclova Township.

Mr. Kaser retired in 1991 from Sun Oil. He began his career 29 years earlier as a sales representative assigned to Toledo. Marketing duties took him through the years to Chicago, Portland, Maine, and Cleveland.

His sales and marketing roles suited his personality and attributes.

"He was very business focused and sales focused and loved people," Mr. Kaser said. "It was a natural for him. He could work with anyone. He was a really good communicator."

He made those around him comfortable, son Jim Kaser said

"People he managed admired him, because he was so fair and honest," his son Jim said. "What he said he did. That alone was the biggest contribution to his success."

He was a sales manager in Toledo and Detroit, winning promotion in 1985 to division manager.

When his job was based in Cleveland and Detroit, he commuted from Toledo, rather than uproot the family and disrupt his children's schooling.

He was born Sept. 25, 1932, in Euclid, Ohio, to Sophie and Guy Kaser, the second of what would be 10 children. He played baseball and football at Cuyahoga Falls High School.

He played outfield for a year at UT, but his focus became football. As a junior, he was chosen to a first-team berth on the 1952 Associated Press All-Ohio collegiate eleven. He was selected as a halfback on the defensive unit, although for the Rockets he played both ways and had been an end on offense.

He again was named by AP to its all-Ohio college first team in 1952. He also was on the AP's all-Mid-American Conference first defensive team.

Injured in a scrimmage, he missed the final four games of the 1952 season. The absence of his easy versatility led to a shuffling of responsibilities among teammates.

"How valuable is Rick Kaser to the University of Toledo football team?" sports writer Jim MacDonald quizzed readers in the Toledo Times. "An indication of the blonde 175-pounder's importance to the Rockets may be gained from the fact that it will take FOUR players to replace him in Saturday's game with Bowling Green."

Mr. McDonald listed those entrusted with his duties - at offensive end, at defensive left halfback, on punt returns, on kickoff returns.

"He enjoyed his experience. He had some great coaches and relationships that lasted for a lifetime," son Jim said. "He cherished it, but was humble about his accolades. He was fortunate to take it to the next level."

He received a bachelor's degree in education from UT.

His next stop was the then-world champion Detroit Lions, but he was among players placed on the waiver list in August, 1954, as the team broke camp and left for an exhibition game against the Eagles in Philadelphia. Decades later, his grandson Drew Kaser played football for Texas A&M University and then for the Chargers in the NFL

An Army veteran, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1955, graduated from infantry school at Fort Benning, Ga., the next year, and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. He concluded his service in 1957 as a first lieutenant.

He resumed his pro football career with the CFL, playing for the Vancouver-based BC Lions for three seasons. He played for the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1960.

"His number one thing was watching all the grandkids' sporting events," his son David said. "He was a family man."

For 15 winters, he and his wife stayed in the Fort Myers, Fla., area. They traveled the world and enjoyed golfing.

He was a member of Heritage Palms Country Club and Brandywine Country Club. He was a founding member in the late 1980s as the Stone Oak Country Club took form on the site of the former Glengarry Country Club. He also served on the Stone Oak board.

Surviving are his wife, the former Patricia Doszpoly, whom he married Jan. 22, 1955; daughter, Sherri Smith; sons David Kaser, Jim Kaser, and Rick Kaser; brothers Tom Kaser, John Kaser, and Jim Kaser; sisters Joanne Sigel, Cathy Crigger, and Karen Tubbs; 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Coyle Funeral Home, where a recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joan of Arc Church, with visitation after 10 a.m.

The family suggests tributes to St. Francis de Sales High School or St. Joan of Arc Church, where he was a member.