Memorial services for Richard David Riha, 55, of Chickasha, will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with Father Justin Fletcher officiating.
Richard David Riha was born August 22, 1960 in Long Beach, California, the son of Thomas Richard Riha and Barbara Lou (Coonce) Higgins. He died Tuesday, March 29, 2016 in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Rich grew up in southern California, attending school there. In 1978, he married Ellen and to this union two children, Sheri and Tim Riha, were born. Rich later married Lois Sanders and they had two children, Ashley and Richard Cody Sanders.
For most of his life he worked in construction and for 5 years he worked at Panasonic in electronics, but he had also worked maintenance with the oil refinery companies. He moved to Oklahoma in the early 2000’s to be close to his mom and other family.
He loved music and played the guitar and harmonica. He wrote his own songs, many of them hymns, he sang many solos at his church while playing his guitar. Rich enjoyed riding his bike around town. He was a loyal friend and would help anyone with a need. He will be deeply missed by all.
Rich was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Richard Riha, grandfather, Robert Coonce, and grandmother, Margaret Coonce Krieger.
He is survived by his mother, Barbara, of Chickasha; wife, Lois Sanders, of Buena Park, California; daughter, Sheri Lister, of California; son, Tim Riha, of California; daughter, Ashley Sanders, of Buena Park, California; son, Richard Cody Sanders, of Muskogee; five grandchildren; aunts, uncles, cousins and other extended family and friends.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.