â€œSuper Dadâ€

My father could do anything he put his mind to.  I watched him study and research his family history.  He would travel all over to the places where they were from.  He put together the genealogy for his family when visiting those places.  At times, I was lucky to be able to travel with him and learn about my heritage.  I would see his face light up when he found ancestors. He would talk about them to everyone he came in contact with.  I will remember the time we went to Spain to find the town of Castaneda and my father was driving and the police officer stopped us.  He said we ran through a red light but we did not.  I was amazed with my dad's ability to touch this officer heart to help us find the town instead of giving him a ticket.  

When he was a English Teacher with the Clark County School District he inspired me to become just like him to help the under privilege students.  I watch him touch so many of his student's lives.  Students would stop my dad when we were out and tell him how he inspired them to go to college and be successful with their life.  At that moment, I decided to become a teacher so, I could inspire just like my â€œSuper Dadâ€. 

I am going to miss calling him on the phone.  He would always answer:  â€œWho is it?â€ â€œWhat do you want and Why?â€ of course I would laugh and tell him â€œREALLY DADâ€ but he would repeat the questions until I would answer them before we would talk.

I am truly glad that I was able to pick my family before I came to earth.  I believe in Spencer W. Kimball quote; â€œGood family life is never an accident but always an achievement by those who share it.â€ My dad was one who loved to share his accomplishments with his family regarding his children and grandchildren.  One Sunday I had to speak in church and was giving a talk and I look out into the audience and saw my â€œSuper Dadâ€.  I was touch that my dad cared so much for my family and would make it to all of our events.  He was proud to be a part of our lives and tell the world.  

I am so grateful to have had 40 years of my life to share with my father.  He became my best friend.  He was the one that would give me the best advice and would try to solve the problem. If I needed to decide on a situation with my life he was the first to help me.  I truly believe that this family was the one for me and glad I was able to share these memories with him to become the person I am today. 

Thank you â€œSuper Dadâ€ for providing me the encouragement, strength, and kindness to be your â€œ1â€ DAUGHTER.  I will never FORGET YOU and will ALWAYS REMEMBER the time we shared together.

Until we meet again love you forever,

You are so blessed and lucky to have such a great HERO/DAD!!!! He is amazing and so glad we could know him and laugh with him.

Our fondest memories of your dad. He was always smiling, teasing, and happy. He will be greatly missed

One of my fondest memories of Grandpa is all the sneaking out late at night to go see late night movies and sometimes even movie hoping all day. I could do this everyday with Grandpa but instead he made it into a once a week thing together. I love you GRANDPA!

One of my favorite memories of Richard is during one of our Lake Powell trips. We had just finished a fun filled day at the lake. Everyone was preparing for bed. The door on the floor of the houseboat was open to retrieve the bedding. Richard and a few others were busy laughing and telling stories Richard started to bak up. He was about ready to fall in. My children's eyes got wide someone pointed. Richard finally realized how close he was to falling in the hole. I've have never seen a one legged man jump back so fast. He had that smile on his face and said; "What are you guys trying to do to me!" Everyone laughed

Deep gratitude for Brother Richard CastaÃ±eda's unencumbered love and generosity fill my heart as I think of that great man and how he blessed me. It was Christmas time many years ago when I was a young teenager looking for general acceptance, love, and noteworthy male role models in my life. Brother CastaÃ±eda stood out to fill the need for all three.

The first time I met Brother CastaÃ±eda, I was greeted with neither a handshake nor a simple hello but rather a HUGE hug, giant smile, and genuine, â€œI am so happy to know you.â€ From hello to good-bye, brother CastaÃ±eda made me feel completely welcome in their home, loved, accepted, and valued. I ended up spending several days and nights in the CastaÃ±eda home during that time. Christmas was truly beautiful that year. Brother CastaÃ±eda took time to talk with me one on one about the things that were on my mind. He was always sure that there was a place close to him for me to sit at the dinner/game table, and he showered me with frequent hugs, laughs, smiles, and jokes all of which my sensitive teenage heart needed. On the last day of my stay, Brother CastaÃ±eda pulled me aside before I had to leave and whispered, â€œI think if you look closely under the Christmas tree, you'll find a little something waiting for you.â€ Sure enough, not one but several gleaming presents with my name boldly written on the tags awaited me there underneath the tinseled tree.

Brother CastaÃ±eda's love and goodness continued to abound each time I met or caught word of him. He exhaled love and acceptance of others as easily as he exhaled oxygen. I'm forever grateful and eternally stamped for the better by Brother Richard CastaÃ±eda's and his example of tender acceptance and unconditional love.

I'm still convinced that Richard lost his leg from doing a handstand to close to an helicopter. CHOP! That's what I loved most about Uncle Richard. He always had such a positive attitude and a BIG smile on his face with a hug to share. I sure will miss his hugs!

My brother Richard was king, funny, and very intellegent. He made me happy, whenever he would come to visit me ant my house or call. Richard always made me laugh. I am sorry he is gone from us. We all will see him again in Paradise. God Bless You Amen.

We always remember his great big smile and warm welcome

My favorite memories of Richard: Were playing games and making salsa. I always wanted to be on his team because he cheated and we always won. He made me feel so welcome to the family when Ray and I were married and I was a little overwhelmed by joining such a large family. I loved him very much!!!

Richard was the best home teacher we ever had faithful, dependable, and geniunely caring. We were blessed to have him in our lives. Thank you for sharing him with us.

Richard was one of the most welcoming people I have ever met. He was an example to me of what a priesthood holder should really be like. He magnified whatever the calling was that he had at any given time. As I served with him as a Ward Missionary, he was fully diligent and kept me on my toes! Also, in the scouting program I had the honor of working closely with him as he guided the young men through many challenges and helped them to achieve a lot, needless to say, Richard had great talents and patience. It has been and always will be an honor to have known and served with a great friend and a TRUE HERO.

We are so happy to have shared a small part of Richard's life and have some wonderful memories to carry with us. My first memory of Richard was the day Verona brought Laura home from the hospital. I was just a kid then and all of us cousins were playing in the vacant lot across from their house in the cul-de-sac. I remember looking at that new little baby and her little knitted booties. Being amazed that my oldest cousin was a mother, and this was her new little family! My dad, Chuck, had a high opinion of Richard his ability to overcome adversity in his youth, his overwhelming success in the mission field baptizing and changing the lives of hundreds. He was admired for his service in the military, that was huge in my dad's eyes. Because my dad had such respect and high esteem for Richard I naturally did too, it was just a given. Richard was a great person. Richard was always friendly to me and had a kind smile on his face for everyone. He was a remarkable man.

Richard was a good man who endured well the challenges in this life. I am glad to have known him and have been touched by his example of making it against all odds. I loved playing cards with Richard and Verona. I'm not saying he cheated but his team always won.

I remember when Richard would take Laura, Diane, and I to play volleyball. He would hug me so tight and smile all of the time. He will be missed.

Thank you for sharing Richard with us! He truly blessed the lives of many and I know he will continue to do so! He did a lot for the scouting program and will be missed. He helped my brother-in-law, Jon O'Gana, progress toward his Eagle while Jon lived in the ward.

My favorite memories: Grandpa and I are going to the sand dunes, lake powell, and all of our vacations we spent together. I enjoyed the times I got to spend with just me and him. I loved bringing him his favorite HI-C orange drink from McDonalds. All the times he helped me through school and doing my work was great. I also, loved riding on the back of his wheel-chair at the amusement parks. I love you grandpa

We have many good memories of time we spent as a ward family. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

My favorite thing about Richard was his laugh and ready smile! The best story was when he climbed up in the storage shed, took off his leg, and couldn't get down!

we were so sorry to hear about the passing of Richard. Richard was an inspiration to all that knew him. We feel blest that we were able to know him. He will be missed.

My Uncle Richard Castaneda returned to heaven this morning. He will be missed. He was always the first to offer a hug and advice no matter how long it had been since our last visit. Until we meet again! Our thoughts & prayers go out to my Aunt Verona & cousins Rick , Laura and Diane !!!

Sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad, Jim & I both said "He was the best Scouter". He will be missed.

 I just thought of the time when we went to Prom & we had a fancy dinner at GMas house. Richard was our waiter. He was so funny & awesome. He was dressed up in his waiter attire, told us jokes & made it so memorable. An awesome memory ill always cherish.

23 years ago I went to a fireside at mt friends home. I was shocked to learn that my very own uncle was the speaker. For the next hour I was captivated and inspired by the tragic story of his life. His perseverance to rise above the life he was born into and delicate his life to help children was beyond anything I could comprehend. He became a father, a teacher & a foster parent. Surely if he could overcome and when faced with so much... then I could and I WOULD also. I made a vow that night and Never in my adolescence did I do drugs, get drunk, say swear words, or even watch rated R movies (I was far from perfect but never was swayed by peer pressure on those issues). One of my biggest regrets in life will now always be that I never told him how much his story that night changed my life. The world has lost a truly great man & the best example of charity, integrity & selflessness I have ever known. Thank You Richard Castaneda. To my aunt & cousins I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Diane, We are so saddened by the loss of your Dad. Your Dad was amazing. He was Corde's bishop when we got married, and then our bishop. He was a man who was driven to make life changes, and show people how to do it. 
Love you cut girl, please give our love to your family.
Corde & Vickie Quinney



Dear Verona, Laura, Diane, Ricky, Joe and all of his Siblings, 

Little in stature, but a giant in love was your husband, father, and brother that came from above. The tears that were shed when he left the Father fell to the Earth, but joy surrounded the land at his birth. 

Leaders are surrounded with challenges, but rise to new heights as they are conquered one by one. Your father and brother was a Saturday's Warrior in the Kingdom of the Father. He rose above the challenges of youth to bring many souls to the Father and turn the hearts of the children to their supreme Father.

The tears that were shed when he descended from above 69 years and 4 months ago now have evaporated and the joyous sounds of angels singing in an eternal reunion are now heard in the heavens above. Our tears will also evaporate as time goes by. 

Courage and strength he left you and loneliness you will feel, but I believe that he has left you with wonderful memories to carry you through.

You will be gathered as an eternal family. A hero always goes first to prepare the way for the ones they love. Your father and brother has gone before to prepare for your Heavenly return. 

He may be that special angel who speaks to you softly in your mind now; speak he will to guide you as you continue toward your Heavenly home. He will be there with that infectious, bright smile to greet you at your homecoming too.

May the Lord be with you in this time of sorrow.

Lovingly,

Verona, Laura, Diane, Richard Jr.,and all of the extended family, May all your precious memories of Richard (husband, father,grandpa, uncle, brother and friend) help you through all the pain and sorrow you may be feeling at this time. May the Lord embrace you with his love and the knowledge that Richard did make his journey home peacefully. My dear brother, in my heart you will always be. Your smile and joking ways will be engraved in my memory forever. I love you and will miss you lots. Sis Laura and Bro-in-law Charlie

OBITUARY

Richard Ernest Castañeda Sr.

April 10, 1944 – August 10, 2013

Palm Downtown Mortuary & Cemetery

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