Richmond E. Staples' Obituary
Richmond Everett (“Buzz”) Staples, Jr., passed peacefully on September 24, 2019, surrounded by his family. Buzz was a natural-born father and mentor. He was a man of faith and integrity, with a warm hug and full-faced smile that showed his love, while his loud laugh invited others to join in the fun.
Buzz was born on July 11, 1937 in Warren, Rhode Island. He was the fifth of six children born to Richmond and Ruth Staples. In 1954, he volunteered for military service in the Navy and traveled the world serving aboard naval aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and others.
In 1961, he met Jan Anderson, a gorgeous young waitress working near his base in Pensacola, Florida, the mother of two young children, who he later adopted; a 6-year-old son (who later changed his name to Richmond III), and a 4-year-old daughter, Susan. Buzz and Jan married after a two-week whirlwind courtship before his next deployment.
Three years later, their son, Alec, was born, followed closely thereafter by their daughter, Laurie. In 1971, Buzz became a naval warrant officer. In 1972 he was transferred to Miramar Air Station to serve aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and they relocated to Escondido, California. Later that year, Buzz narrowly escaped death when the F-4 fighter jet he was flying in collided with an A-4 fighter jet over the Pacific Ocean, and he was ejected off the San Diego coast.
Their first grandchild was born in 1976. Buzz retired from the Navy in 1977, a Vietnam veteran, having served his entire 23-year military career in naval aviation.
After becoming empty nesters, Buzz and Jan hosted many an epic family barbeque, campfire, and pool party. Buzz loved taking his grandsons on fishing trips in the Sierras. He and Jan traveled the country extensively, fishing, sightseeing and visiting family until Jan’s death in 1999. They were married 38 years.
In 1993 Buzz met Rose Bennett, who worked in the office at Woods Valley Kampground where they were both living. When Jan was in the end stage of her illness and was very weak, often sleeping for long periods, Buzz would often go down to the office to pick up their mail and have a cup of coffee. If Rose was on duty she would give him his mail, and they would exchange a few words. Rose even took Jan for one of her treatments when Buzz couldn’t.
In 1996 Rose’s husband, Harold, went to be with the Lord. After both Harold and Jan passed Buzz and Rose eventually became friends. They at some point began dating, and in 2003 they eloped, which certainly surprised their 8 children!
Throughout their 16-year marriage, Buzz and Rose traveled a lot, crisscrossing the country many times visiting his relatives on the East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, and to the Midwest and South to visit her family. They were both warmly embraced by each other’s extended families. And if someone would ask them how many children they had they would say “We have eight.” They never considered each other’s children to be step kids, but rather “their” kids. Rose’s youngest son, Mark, even called Buzz Dad.
Buzz and Rose were very involved at Emmanuel Faith Community Church (EFCC). Rose worked in the tape library and knitted afghans for the nursery. Buzz was second vice president of their Sunday School Class, served in the Touch of Love ministry, and was involved with the Veterans’ group as well as the men’s group at the church.
Buzz was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jan, and is survived by their four children, Richmond III and Susan (who he loved as his own from the first time he met them), Alec (and wife Michele) and Laurie (and husband Rusty); their five grandsons, Manuel, Gregorio, Joshua, Christopher and Casey; 7 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson; nieces, nephews and extended family throughout the country; and countless “like-family” who adopted Buzz as their brother, father and grandfather including life-long friends from their Elm Street, Escondido, neighborhood, their children’s in-laws and friends, and many others who gravitated to their home and hearts.
Buzz is also survived by his second wife, Rose, and her four children, Sharon, Millie (and husband Bob), Lloyd (and wife Diana), and Mark; 15 grandchildren, Rob, Michael, Kim, Leslie, Amanda, Beth, Ben, Kathy, Lara, Melissa, Katie, Emilie, Shawn, Jeremy, and Dustin; 31 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.
All who were blessed to know him look forward to reuniting with him in Heaven and hearing his words, “How ‘bout a hug, mug?”
There will be a memorial service for Buzz on Sunday, October 6, at 3:00 PM in the EFCC Chapel at 639 East 17th Avenue, Escondido, CA, followed by a reception in the Family Center at 4:00 PM. Interment will be at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego on Monday, October 14, at 10:30 AM. Remembrances may be made in the form desired by friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in Buzz’s name may be made to EFCC’s Children’s Sunday School Building Fund.
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