Richard Craig Hudson

The Life Story of Richard Hudson

By his son, Gabriel Hudson

Richard Craig Hudson, 63, born in the evening of Thursday, July 31, 1952 near Lakewood, California, moved on in Austin, Texas in the evening of Thursday, September 17, 2015. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend. His life was one of creative freedom, and selfless service to his family.

After graduating high school in Lakewood–supported by his mother, Joyce, father, William, elder brother, Bill, and younger brother, Lance–Rick moved to Illinois to pursue an education at Principia College. He graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. In the following years Rick enlisted in the Army and went through Basic Training. In 1988, after being stationed in Germany, the Army honorably discharged Rick with the rank of Sergeant E5, and he returned to the States.

While looking for a house to buy in Austin, Texas, in 1990, a friend introduced her cousin, who was living in the Philippines at the time, to Rick. Three years and many letters and pocket photographs later, Rick traveled to the Philippines and proposed to the woman. They returned to the States and on Thursday, November 19, 1994, Richard Hudson married Elena Arios at a close family friend’s house in Austin. The couple found a home in Austin and moved there with their baby son, Gabriel Nicholas. In 1995, they welcomed Charlene Grace to their family and in 1998, another beautiful daughter, Kathleen Marie.

Rick was a man of the road. Besides his international travels throughout Europe, Rick visited every American state except Florida and Alaska. Throughout his life he pursued various jobs including working as a ranch-hand and cook at Adventure Unlimited Ranches in Colorado, a cartographer for the Army, a pizza deliveryman, and a customer service representative. But his greatest accomplishments were yet to come.

After the birth of his youngest daughter, Richard retired and dedicated the rest of his life– over twenty years–to the raising of his children and the security of his family’s welfare. He was more than a stay-at-home father; he was a caretaker, selflessly doing whatever needed to be done. He made rice every day for dinner for a wife new to American living. Rick woke up at five in order to get his sleepy-headed children to the bus stop for school. Every afternoon he chauffeured between schools and across town to pick up his family. He spent years perfecting his brisket, tamale, and enchilada recipes. His meager backyard garden of tomatoes and squash grew into a miniature farm that also included ghost peppers, bell peppers, jalapenos, carrots, strawberries, pumpkin, okra, eggplant, roses, and a chicken coop. Rick was also a silver smith, jeweler, watercolor artist, novelist, mechanic, and inventor. His lessons of devotion, wit, perseverance, and self-respect will always be remembered.

Richard Hudson was a man who lived life by terms. Was it because he was a Christian Scientist, believing that the identity and ability of man is not dictated by material conditions? Possibly. However, his religion was such a lived spiritual principle that–besides being a church going man–he let his works, the care of his family, serve as proof of his faith. One of his last comments was about the baby peach tree he planted in the backyard. “There is fruit on the tree,” he said, “but they are so small. If we were to trim the branches, we’ll have bigger fruit.” Rick lived the advice of Matthew, to be faithful over a few things close to his heart, and thus Rick lived a life that satisfied him more deeply and joyously than material riches could ever have done.

No one ever knows for certain when they will move on. Change happens suddenly. When change comes, some might say: Judge a man by what he leaves behind. When her husband moved on, Elena was employed by a government state agency of Texas. Kathleen was accepted as a senior into a private high school in Illinois. Charlene was pursuing an education to become a nurse in Austin. Gabriel was a senior at Principia College, studying literature, creative writing, and international relations. Others could also say: Judge a man by how he moves on. When she returned from work on the evening of September 17th, Elena found Rick slumped in the chair of his study, as if resting after reading a long book; the rice cooker in the kitchen just starting to boil. He moved on doing as he’d always done: preparing a place for others. May we all learn something from Richard’s life, richly lived, and ever treasured.