Richard Terry Etzel (75) Tucson, AZ, passed away on September 18, 2022, following complications from quintuple by-pass surgery and an aortic dissection after a long fight for recovery. He was born March 31, 1947, to Richard and Ruth Eileen (Stein) Etzel in Topeka, KS.

He attended Hayden and Highland Park high schools, and the University of Kansas and Washburn University.

He joined the Air Force in 1966, served in Hill AFB, Ogden, UT, Homestead Air Reserve Base in FL, and DaNang, Viet Nam.

He loved cars, bought and modified his dream car, a Camero Super Sport, restored all the mechanics of his beloved Mazda Miata and loved music, books, photography, and hiking. He had a kind and caring heart.

He married Randy (Olsen) Demoss in 1967 and had one son, Richard Todd, Kansas City, MO. He married Kelley (Thorp) Etzel in 1982 and had three children, Nicholas James, Stephenville, TX, Caitlyn Eileen, Austin, TX, Steven Patrick, Overland Park, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Maurine (Openshaw McDonald) Etzel, his eldest son Richard Todd, sister Deborah (Debbie) Kay Etzel Arroyo (Greg) of Missouri City, TX, and brother Gregory Joseph.

He is survived by his partner and family of 25 years, Karen Dalziel Tallman, Tucson, AZ, Autumn, Ilan and Lila Tallman, Iowa City, IA, his children Nicholas, Steven, Caitlyn, grandchildren Colin Gregory Nolan, Connor Greyson Nolan, Austin, Texas, brother Bob Etzel (Meggan) Lawrence, KS, sisters Mary Ann Etzel Marshall (Steve) Topeka, KS, Therese Marie Etzel Hopkins, Blue Springs, MO, and stepbrother Randy McDonald (Bethann) Washington, UT.