Richard Stecklein Obituary

To the Stecklein family - my deepest condolences to you. "Lefty" was a great classmate, and was always a positive thinker. From what I have heard from classmates lately, he was a true champion to the younger generation!



God Bless You!

I FIRST MET LEFTY AT SOUTHERN COLORADO STATE WHEN WE WERE ASSIGNED TO BE ROOMMATES AT ENID GOSSETT'S HOME AT 510 MORRISON ST., PUEBLO, CO. THIS BEGAN A LIFETIME FRIENDSHIP THAT DEATH WILL NOT END. HE WAS BOTH A FRIEND AND MENTOR TO MY SON, JUSTIN, WHEN HE ATTENDED NMMI THROUGH HIS FIRST TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE. MY WIFE, PAULINE, AND I WILL NEVER FORGET LEFTY AND HIS FAMILY. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH LEFTY AND HIS BROTHER BOB AND WIFE LOU AT THE SCSC ATHLETIC REUNION. HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS.

Lefty's death took all of us by a total surprise. He was going to retire June 30, 2005 and enjoy the fruits of his many years of dedication to the kids of our country. Lefty's funeral was very sad. It was like it was not suppose to happen. Lefty was a devout Catholic. He practiced our religion on a daily basis and set a great example for all of us.



I have known Lefty and the Stecklein family since 8th grade. My family and I have known Patty and his daughters for many, many years. We remainded close all these years and it was especially heartening to see all the love and support that was given to Lefty, Patty, and his family at his funeral.



During these sad days, we did get to share many of our memories of Lefty with his friends. It was great to see and visit with Jerry DeMarco and Joe Trujillo from the Springs and John and Pauline Kallinger from Del Rio, TX. Our lives and friendship go back many years.



God Bless Lefty always and God Bless his family always. Friends are friends forever, not just during a small period in one's life.

Nita del Regato emailed me the sad news of Lefty's passing. I had the greatest respect for Lefty and all his accomplishments. He was a leader in everything he did. I know how proud his family was of him and how very much you will miss him. My prayers and thoughts of peace are with all of you.

Please know that my prayers and heartfelt thoughts are with Lefty's family at this time of loss. I only knew Lefty during our senior year at St. Mary's High School but will always remember him as a kind and caring presence. God bless you all.

Your loss is shared by many old friends. Lefty will truly be missed.

When Lefty's family moved to Colorado Springs from Kansas we became friends as my family was from Kansas also. I'll never forget those times on the "north side" and our friendship at Corpus Christi grade school and on through St Mary's High School. My sincere sympathy with your loss of a great person.

Lefty has extended himself to my husband and I in an effort to find opportunities for a young boy who needed guidance. Although I knew him since grade school, he has become a good friend recently and my husband and I have come to know him as a kind, generous, wonderful person. Know that there are many of us whose lives he touched. This is a terrible loss for all of us.

Sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.

I heard of Lefty's passing away today and please note that I lost a long time friend. Lefty and I lived together for two years after we got out of college and you couldn't asks for a better roommate. He and I enjoyed each others company and I will never forget the great times we had together. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Love, Joe

Please know how sorry we are for your loss. Our prayers go out to you and your family.



Love,

Eleanor and Ang

Our love and prayers to you all.



Love,

Jerry and Judy