Richard Austin Hambacher was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on February 20, 1932, and died in Chandler, Arizona Friday, June 27, 2025.
The son of Jacob and Ella Hambacher, he was raised in the town of Mountainside, New Jersey. After WWII, the family relocated to So. California. He married Joann Adair in 1951, raising three children: Richard, Susan and Joan in Costa Mesa.
Richard was employed as an auto mechanic for many years and, after moving to Reno, Nevada in 1970, became a skilled slot machine mechanic. In 1978 Richard met and married his 2nd wife, Karen Sue Brown Cook in Carson City, Nevada. They bought an RV, and traveled the West finally settling in Casa Grande, Arizona in 1994. His last move in January, 2025 was to a group home in Chandler, Arizona.
Richard loved to bowl and go to car races. He was an avid reader, passionate about politics and loved good long conversations. He relished listening to music from the 1940’s which gave him great comfort in his final years. He loved coffee and dark chocolate and was grateful to the many long phone calls to family and friends who often listened to his recipe for chicken soup.
He is survived by his three children, Richard P. Hambacher of Tucson, Arizona, Susan Nyland of Montrose, Colorado, and Joan Hathaway of North Tustin, California; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jake and Ella, brothers Allen and James, and his beloved second wife Sue.
