Richard Dean Douglas

Richard Dean Douglas was called up to Heaven on February 6, 2021 so he could celebrate his 65th wedding anniversary with the love of his life, Gilberte. He was born on June 24, 1935 in Anna, Illinois, the youngest child of Henry and Vera Douglas. Richard arrived late in his parents’ lives when all of his siblings were already married with children. He always said this made him feel special. He spent many summers on his sister’s farm and grew up to be a handsome and confident young man. He was able to charm everyone, even convincing dates to push him and his Vespa up the country hills. After high school, he was proud to join the Army and was shipped overseas to France where he met Gilberte. On February 11, 1956, the beautiful couple was married by the mayor in a small French village, and – as he tells the story – they were married 3 more times before the end of the year. They moved back to the US to St. Louis and welcomed their son, Marc. Richard began and excelled in restaurant management with his strong work ethic, leadership and wonderful personality. In 1968, they welcomed their daughter, Christine. Richard was a devoted family man and adored his children. When the opportunity came to work more normal hours with Hussmann Refrigeration, he jumped onto the sales team, spending years working in Pittsburgh and Chicago. In 1987, Richard was successfully managing the Chicago branch when he took a demotion to move to Phoenix so that he and his wife could be near their children and grandchildren. He was a natural salesman and his clients adored him. He loved selling refrigeration to Circle K and he was proud to finally sell to Eddie Basha after years of knocking on his door. After 33 years he retired, and he and Gilberte loved to travel and help with their granddaughters. When Gilberte passed away in 2013, he vowed to continue to be involved in his grandchildren’s lives. Although he had cooked many holiday meals, he filled his time with a new passion of baking and always had cookies or ‘goosefeathers’ for his granddaughters’ schools, sporting events, as well as his friends at the bank, insurance company and various doctors’ offices. Richard was a true gentleman and would help everyone. He is survived by his children, Marc Douglas and Christine & Robert Guthrie, and his grandchildren, Brittany & Vladimir Chetochine, Brynn & Michael Waddington, and Taylor & Tessa Guthrie, and wife Gilberte’s siblings, Andrée Beck, Marie Claude Cavazoz & Jean Pierre Beck and his great-granddaughter, Eloise Chetochine. Richard was adored by family and friends and we will miss his kindness, the sparkle in his eye, his wonderful stories, and the sweet treats. In Richard's honor, a Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring.