Slusser, Sr., Richard David

Richard David Slusser, Sr. (Big Rich, Rich)
October 09, 1942-December 24, 2024

Rich, 82, passed away peacefully Christmas Eve afternoon surrounded by his children.
He was born at DePaul Hospital on N. Kingshighway Blvd and grew up in Jennings, Missouri, on Helen Ave. He was named after his cousin, Richard David Rucker, and consequently named his son, Richard Slusser Jr., after himself.

As a young boy, he enjoyed listening to “Hopalong Cassidy” on the radio before his family had a TV, and later on enjoyed watching “Texas Bruce.”

He grew up poor, but worked hard his entire life.  While he might have grown up financially poor, he was always rich with love from his family and friends.

Some of the fond memories his children have of their father was when he was able to splurge on niceties, such as going to the bakery on Sundays to buy gooey butter cake. Another fond memory is from the ice cream shop in Jennings, where he’d
buy them oversized drumsticks.  This love of giving small, thoughtful trinkets continued throughout his life, often gifting his family Charlie Brown ornaments or unicorn figurines.

Some of my Rich’s favorite memories were the simplest things — fishing with his mom at the clubhouse all the way into her golden years, and taking care of his late daughter Marci.

Rich was a proud Navy Veteran.  He enlisted in the Navy reserve at the age of 17.  Comically, he was at sea when he received a letter from his mother informing him he had been drafted.  He served a total of six years, two on active duty.

He was a longtime resident of Jennings, MO, and Sullivan, MO.  Rich worked as an electrician at MO Portland Cement, Washington University, and retired from Saint Louis City Parks Department.

One of Rich’s great joys was early morning coffee while watching the many birds at his feeders. He had a love for nature and was an avid gardener all of his life, often bragging on his tomatoes. He had a talent of tossing flower and plant seeds in incredibly random places and watching them flourish. He also had a tremendous love for animals. This was evidenced by always bringing home strays, but he even had compassion for what most consider “nuisance” animals. He was known to capture the chipmunks from his garden and drive them to Meramec Cavern for release. He also enjoyed the frogs he’d get every Spring in his pond, often taking / rescuing the tadpoles that would pop up in his granddaughter’s pool. Growing up, he always had pets; rabbits, snakes, lizards, alligator, iguana, possums, and many more.

At any given time, you could find him in his garage tinkering away if he wasn’t in his garden. He loved reading comics, doodling,
and woodworking. In his later years, he loved outings with his honey, Karen. They enjoyed doing yard work together, and spending time with their dogs O’Neill and Trixie. Rich and Karen appreciated the kindness of their neighbors, Bill, Doyle and Ashley.
He was adept at technology all of his life and tried, to the very end, to continue to learn.  He was frugal and never liked to throw anything away if it still worked. Proof as such, he was still using his original 1980s, absolutely ginormous, microwave in his kitchen.

Rich loved with all his heart.  He had great empathy for those in need; sometimes sending unrequested and unexpected aid. He had a big heart, and a mischievous sense of humor.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife, Karen; Sons Richard Slusser, Jr. (Eve) Slusser, Larry Slusser and daughters Heather (Jim) Nadenbush, and Jamie (James) Heidbrink.

He was the proud grandpa of Christine, Alyssa, Daniel, Tyler, Jacob, Josh, Megan, and Grayson. Great grandpa of Lily, Luna, Leo, Zoe, Selah, Malakai & Luca.

Rich was the preceded in death by his parents James and Marcella Slusser (nee Bandl), and his beloved daughter Marceilia (Marci) Slusser.

He was a loving brother of Barb (Tom) Nenninger and Jim (Joann) Slusser.
He was a loving husband, father, papa, brother, neighbor, and friend.

We would like to thank the ICU unit nurses, Angie and Elisha, at Missouri Baptist in Sullivan, MO, for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Missouri School for the Blind or Shriners Children’s St. Louis.

Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Rd. 63123 on Saturday, December 28 from 10:00 am. until Funeral Service time at 12:00 pm. Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery.