Charles Michael Richey

Uncle, cousin, friend, and disciple of Christ. He peacefully returned to the arms of his Savior on

11 February 2024 at the age of 83 after battling complications from a recent fall.

Michael was born to Charles Theodore and Margaret Lysle Richey on 18 May 1940, and was

the oldest of two children. He was a city boy, born and raised. His childhood was spent happily,

surrounded by his small, close, extended family. He, his brother, Jim, together with his two best

friends, Dale Wilder and Art Jackman, shared inquisitive, curious, brilliant minds. With Mike

often quietly taking the initiative, these friends had the most fantastic adventures together. Some

of these adventures included driving floats with his brother in the Rose Parade for several years

and, often, blowing different things up because they wondered “what would happen …” by

creating experiments to know how things worked together and to see it all in action. After

graduating from high school, he briefly attended Harvey Mudd College and, later, graduated

from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in electrical engineering.

After graduation, Michael moved to Boron, California to work near Edwards Air Force Base at

the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. Locally known as the Rocket Site, Mike, his brother,

Jim (who was also hired to work there), and others were a part of pioneering teams who worked

with the world’s first computers (back when one computer filled an entire room). They also

worked to create the rocket technology that sent astronauts into space and later, allowed the

Space Shuttle rocket boosters to launch each mission into orbit.

It was at this time that Mike began to explore his relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Raised

in the Catholic Church, he had also learned gospel truths from friends and family of other faiths

throughout his formative years. He naturally sought to know more about who he is and who he

is to God. After years of intensive study, fellowship, and prayer, he chose to become a member

of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was also during this time that he was

introduced to, and fell in love with, his eternal sweetheart, Renee Cottle. They were married in

the Ogden Utah Temple on 3 February 1973. They are the parents of three children: Allison,

Sean, and Joshua. Mike devotedly and loyally loved his wife, children, grandchildren, parents,

and brother throughout his life.

Although Mike was widely and lovingly known by family and friends for being a bit of a

curmudgeon, he was equally as well known for simply being a good, generous, and

service-oriented man who loyally and deeply loved his family. His curious, observant, and active

mind was never more content than when there was a problem to tackle and solve. He was an

“out-of-the-box” thinker and often created solutions in ingenious, unorthodox ways. He often told

his children that some bailing wire, duct tape, elbow grease, and a little ingenuity could fix

anything. Throughout his life, he often tinkered and worked on cars. He especially loved driving

his family and friends through the desert to explore its unique beauty. He built, worked on, and

flew model airplanes outside of his small desert community. As a boy, Mike created a village to

sit underneath his parents’ Christmas tree. He later built one for his own family’s Christmas tree

(complete with a monorail and street lamps), and also affixed a huge homemade star every year

to his home’s chimney.

Michael had a variety of interests which he shared with his family. He had a tremendous

appreciation for good story-telling. He was an avid reader and would often complete reading

books in a day. He also loved good movies. His children love that their dad first took them to the

theater to see the original Star Wars trilogy, ET, Indiana Jones, and other blockbusters. Mike

also loved to study the stars and the sky. He often woke his family up in the middle of the night

to go out in their front yard to see astronomical events like Haley’s comet or the Perseid meteor

shower. Mike’s artistic eye helped him capture so many beautiful moments behind the lens of

his camera. Within his family, he was affectionately known as “Captain Nikon'' because he was

never without his trusty Nikon camera. He was much more comfortable behind the lens of his

camera than in front of the lens. He was rarely comfortable in a crowd or as the center of

attention but loved to converse with loved ones one-on-one or in small groups. Mike was a

people-watcher and this talent was expressed in vivid detail through his photography and

devoted documentation of candid family moments.

Mike deeply appreciated the power of music. From a young age, he developed a discerning ear

and ability to find quality stereos and speakers that would allow him to hear the full range of

sound within each song. He had an extensive and eclectic record and CD collection. Many

family members and friends fondly remember listening to music with him. His children especially

remember happy times when he would turn his music up and let it play for hours.

He taught his children by example to find productive, positive ways to manage mental and

emotional health and to find joy. His children fondly remember family bike rides during warm

evenings. He had a brilliant engineering mind, a witty sense of humor, a sly mischievousness,

an innate curiosity, an extremely tender heart, a deeply rooted love for his family, and an abiding

love of God. Mike was a devoted and loving caregiver. He spent nearly the last half of his life

caring for his parents, spending time with his younger brother (especially after his wife died),

caring for young grandchildren, and, finally, advocating and caring for his own beloved wife as

she courageously battled Alzheimer’s through the end of her life.

Mike loved his Savior, Jesus Christ. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day

Saints, he was always willing to serve others and share his talents. Throughout many years, he

helped his local congregation connect with the world through his understanding of technology.

The focus of his life was to follow Jesus Christ and help others come to know Him and feel His

love. His foundational trust and hope in Christ’s ability to restore and reunite families forever

sustained him through his final moments of mortality.

His children, family, and others who know and love him are overjoyed that Mike is reunited once

more with his beloved Renee. The joy in their reunion and his welcome Home was almost

palpable as Michael peacefully died with a smile on his face. Their legacy of love will be joyfully

continued by their children and grandchildren.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10 am on 1 March 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-Day Saints at 16509 Hillcrest Ave, North Edwards, CA. A viewing will be held at 9 am

prior to the funeral. His interment will be held at Joshua Memorial Park in Lancaster, CA that

afternoon. He is survived by his children: Allison (Kevin) Cordes, Sean (Kathy) Richey, and

Joshua (Brittany) Richey; 13 grandchildren; two dear cousins; his wife’s remaining family; many,

many nieces and nephews; along with dear, lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a

donation in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.