Richard Robert Lauinger

Richard Lauinger passed on Sept 4 at home with his wife Carlina and son Scott by his side. He was 95 years old. Richard lived his life as a husband, a father, a brother, a proud uncle, as a lover of opera and classical music, as an avid skier, a sailor, a former Catholic priest, a Social Worker and as a businessman. Born Sept. 11, 1930 in Artes, South Dakota the third of John and Marie Lauinger’s twelve children, he developed a life-long interest in wild Western landscapes and cowboy stories. In 1935 the family moved east and put down roots in Pontiac, Michigan where, in grade school, his mother asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Having just accompanied his older brother John to his first day at parochial school and having been impressed with the clergy, he answered he wanted to be a priest. Ordained by the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1956, he set off on a course of serving others. After 12 years of study and 18 years of serving parishioners, he left the priesthood, obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work and continued along his path of helping others, this time as a Therapist. In 1972, he met Dr Carlina Jimenea. They later married and their son Scott arrived in 1977. In 1982, the young family moved to Clearwater, Florida where they flourished in the sunshine and sand. In 2000, they settled in Henderson where Richard golfed, hiked and enjoyed the company of his many friends and family for 25 years. Richard was and is beloved by all. He is remembered for his kindness, generosity, his warm smile and for his sly laugh by those who knew him. He is survived by his wife and son, his brothers Edward and Frank, sisters Patricia, Rosemarie, Elizabeth and Kathleen. He was loved and will be missed.