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Richard Raczka 1920-2010
Mr. Raczka was one of the best-loved Lancer parents, a loving father who probably never missed 1 game Rick played in from Little League to SHHS.  A huge loss for our community.

 

Richard John Raczka, 90, of Laguna Woods, former long-time resident of Fullerton, joined his wife, Louise on Sunday January 9 with family at bedside.

Born in Chicago 1920, served with the 34th Infantry in Italy during WW II. The family moved to Fullerton in 1959, he worked twenty eight years at Hughes Aircraft.

He was active in West Fullerton Little League, Pony League and Sunny Hills High Booster. Enjoyed baseball and golf. He leaves a loving family of children, Rick (wife Sandy) and Karen Markuson (husband Kim), and five grandchildren, Chris, Lindsay, Courtney, Jen and Christy.

Services Saturday 9:00 am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, El Toro Road, Laguna Woods with internm
ent at Pacific View Memorial Park, Newport Beach after the service.

 

(See below COMMENTS,too)

 

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Dave Murphy, '66' on January 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM said:

Rick,
So sorry to hear this. My very best to you and your family in this difficult time.
Dave
Debbie Soto Haprov, '66 on January 14, 2011 at 8:35 PM said:

Hello Rick and Sandy, I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. My prayers are with you and your entire family. Remember your father's last breath here was his first breath in Heaven. God Bless him.
candy moore gleason, '66 on January 13, 2011 at 11:03 PM said:

I met Rick senior when Rick and Sandy got married. A very nice man who did not look his age!

I have heard the stories from Rick about his supportive pop. Rick was lucky to have him as long as he did!

Both Rick and his sister Karen are great people..a true testament to the parents who raised them. My husband Bill and I will attend the services on saturday.
Love and prayers to Raczka family and friends.
Paul Saevig, '67 on January 13, 2011 at 8:33 PM said:

I can still see Mr. Raczka at Rick's ball games, halfway up the stands and unostentatious, wearing his green Eisenhower cut jacket. The picture of a Loving, Supportive Parent.

With Mr. Raczka gone now, and Mr. Macduff, too, and Mr. Hank Slezak and Mr. Till Nix, those of us from West Fullerton have lost wonderful men who inspired us.

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OBITUARY

Richard Raczka
17 SEPTEMBER, 1920 – 9 JANUARY, 2011

Obituary of Richard Raczka
Richard was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 17th 1920. His grandparents on both sides emigrated from Poland in the early 1890’s. Edwin, AKA Tony was his only sibling. Tragedy struck the family early in Tony and Richard’s life. On July 24th 1938 both of their parents were killed in an automobile accident. Richard was in the backseat of that car, suffering a broken collarbone. He was only 18 at the time. How was I spared? Richard would ask himself for the rest of his life.

Richard was drafted into WWII but before leaving he married the love of his life, Louise Hermansen. The army sent Richard overseas to Italy. One of his fondest memories was when he was stationed in Italy he was able to visit the Vatican and had his rosary beads kissed and blessed by the Pope himself.

When the war was over Richard and Louise settled down in Oak Park, Illinois but after Louise’s parents moved to California he moved his family out West also. The family made their home in Fullerton, California and raised two children, Rick and Karen. Richard made his living working for Hughes aircraft as a machinist and later as a computer programmer. In his spare time Richard loved to golf and also spent many years coaching/helping with youth baseball leagues. Sadly just as it was about time for him to retire he lost his wonderful wife Louise to cancer.

Richard eventually moved to Laguna Woods and enjoyed the golf courses and spent almost every day at the local stable drinking the coffee and visiting the horses.

Richard passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family Sunday, January 9th 2011. He is survived by his son Rick and Rick’s wife Sandy, along with Rick’s children Jennifer and Christy Raczka. His daughter Karen Markuson and her husband Kim and their children, Lindsay and Sean-Paul Crawford, Chris Welch, Andy Markuson and Courtney Markuson.

If you were lucky enough to know Richard, you knew he was famous for his one liners. In fact when his caregiver Julieta told him frequently how pretty his eyes were he would smile and say "oh, I will give you one".

Or in his Golden years if you asked him how he was doing he would say "still kickin….. just not as high".

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, Corona Del Mar, CA.