Memorial
Richard Zachary Plasencia died Friday December 12, 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
Funeral mass will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday December 17, 2014 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Rev. Phil Thompson will officiate at the service. Visitation will be 4 to 7 on Tuesday December 16, 2014 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home with a vigil service starting at 3:30pm. Burial will be at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.
Surviving is his wife Margaret; children Richard (Angela) Plasencia of Garrison, Iowa and Lucia Plasencia (Tom) Jones of Shawnee, Kansas; 2 grandchildren Lilian and Elizabeth; step-mother Adelaida.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his dogs Gretchen, Anchor, Flower, Baron, Brandi Rose, Macho and Dickens.
Richard was born November 5, 1934 in Havana, Cuba. He was the son of John and Gloria Hernandez Plasencia. He was a graduate of the University of Miami. On February 4, 1967 Richard and Margaret Brett were united in marriage in Hialeah, Florida. Richard worked for Rockwell-Collins as an Engineer from 1965 until he retired in 1995. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Cedar Valley AM Astronomers, AM Radio Relay League for 50 years, the Quarter Century Wireless Association and the Mt. Mercy Heritage Club. He enjoyed building his own back yard astronomy building, reading, writing, painting art, sailing, making bread, sausage, and cooking. But the thing he treasured most was the time he was given to spend with his family and friends. Richard always showed strength, courage, dignity and was a humble man. He will be missed dearly by those closest to him.