Richard Chester Wasserburger

Richard Chester Wasserburger (Salty) was born on January 6, 1944, in Glendale, CA. He was the beloved son to Chester and Bethel Wasserburger. The eldest of 3 boys A devoted husband to Anita Wasserburger and proud father of 3 girls Tosha, Torey and Tessa.

He grew up in Edgemont, SD, attending Edgemont High School. After high school he worked as a section crew laborer repairing train rails in the Black Hills of South Dakota every summer while attending college at Chadron State College in Nebraska. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later obtained his teaching degree. After graduating college, he married Anita Aguilar and moved to Bakersfield, CA. While there he was drafted into the Army and was a Vietnam War veteran serving from 1969 – 1971. In 1973 Salty and Anita moved to Colorado where he got a job teaching 6th grade at Stratmoor Hills Elementary. He later became a physical education teacher and retired after 32 years of teaching in District 2.

While in high school he participated in sports from basketball to football to track and field. He carried his passion for running through college as a member of the cross-country team. After college, he continued running while participating in local events which included the Pikes Peak Marathon, The Garden of the Gods 10-mile marathon, The Barr Trail Mountain race (better known as the Triple Crown of Running) as well as the Denver Marathon.

His passion for sports carried him to become the BIGGEST Bronco fan ever! (GOOOO BRONCOS!) A collector of baseball caps, his collection includes hats supporting the Broncos, the military and hats from many National Parks. Salty also collected hiking tags from all the National Parks west of the Mississippi filling three full hiking sticks.

Salty is survived by his wife Anita Wasserburger, children Torey Smith (Shawn), Tessa Dorais (Shane), 5 grandchildren, and 2 brothers James and David Wasserburger. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter (Tosha Wasserburger) and 2 grandchildren.

Salty will forever be remembered for his sense of humor, for being a hard worker, a good listener, having patience, his creativity, and above all for his love of family.

Any donations may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude's Hospital or The Ronald McDonald House.