At the age of 86, Richard L. Roe went home to be with the Lord and his heavenly family on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, while residing at Friendship Village of Bloomington. His beloved family was present at his bedside. Richard was a former resident of Prior Lake, MN and a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
A visitation will be held on Monday, May 15, from 4-6 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN and one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, May 16, 11:00 am at St. Michael Catholic Church 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside and Richard’s grandsons, will act as pall bearers. He will be laid to rest at Credit River Cemetery.
In 1930 in Valparaiso, Chile, South America, George and Sara Larrañaga Roe announced the birth of their son Richard. Born on All Saints Day, November 1 (a Catholic holy day to honor the saints), he was certain this day was created just for him!!! Richard was the oldest of nine children. As the eldest, his younger siblings looked up to him, as Richard helped raised and protected them. At times, he considered himself the boss!!! As a young boy, Richard enjoyed playing soccer (or fútbol in Chile), hiking, skiing and a good chess game.
While attending a party in 1953, Richard was introduced to Monica Blanco. They started dating and on Christmas Day of 1954, Richard and Monica exchanged wedding vows at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Santiago Chile. From this union, he passed on “the boss” status to his wife. They were blessed with two children, Vivian and Rich. Wanting more in life, Richard dreamed of coming to the United States, making millions and returning to Chile to retire. After securing a job and with only $100 in his pocket, Richard set off alone to the US. Six months later, Monica and the two children arrived. They settled their roots in Pennsylvania, where Richard and Monica welcomed three more children, Pauline, Jennifer and Monica. Through the years, special memories were made visiting museums, building kites, taking walks, skiing, entertaining neighbors and Chilean friends and Sunday drives.
In 1969, the Roe family was on the move to Creston, Iowa. Richard spent most of his career as a tool design engineer. In 1980, he took a job with Hitchcock Industries in Bloomington, MN. Richard and the remaining family moved to Prior Lake, MN. He retired in 1996, but he continued to work part time as a consultant for another 10 years. Retiring allowed him to further enjoy his hobbies and wintering in Florida.
Richard had several deep passions. The first was woodworking. He was a gifted craftsman and over the years blessed his family and church with his talents. The second passion was the mission work in Chimbote, Peru. Richard and three other individuals started the Small Business Program for St. Michael’s sister parish in Chimbote. For him, it was passing on the kindness he received from others when Richard entered the United States. His greatest passion was his family. Richard was blessed to be a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He relished the times spent together and treasured every moment.
Truly a wonderful man, Richard was generous, strong and a provider for his family. He was always a joker and loved to be the center of attention and making everyone laugh. Richard knew how to love and how to live. He worked hard, yet took time to smell the roses, and drink vino along the way.
Richard’s legacy will continue on in his wife, Monica Roe; children, Vivian Roe, Rich (Jo) Roe, Pauline (Paul) Drake, Jennifer Roe, Monica (Lee) Swanson; grandchildren, Meagan (Tim), Travis, Neill, Kelly (Chris), Haley, Kyle (Ali), Keith, Drew, Julia, Serena, Jesse; great-grandchildren, Anniston, Anthony, Lillian, Jace, Joslynn, Micah; 8 siblings and their extended family back in Chile; sister-in-law, Maria (Bill Black) Blanco and her children Shannon, Stephen, Susana and their family; and many friends.
Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Richard’s memory by the family.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Richard home in heaven is his parents, George and Sara Roe and Ron Christensen, father of Drew and Julia
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Roe family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
