November 25, 2025

I am William “Bill” McGrath. Rick was my wrestling coach from 1994-96/97.   He had a profound impact on me and I didn’t realize it till both of my boys started wrestling.   I just found out today of his passing and I am saddened to find out that I can’t tell him about how everything turned out in my life.  And the impact that he had!  I have so many good memories of him, like one time during a tournament he blasted Pink Floyd on the radio and yelled at us to get motivated.  I really valued his leadership and all that I learned from him while wrestling.  

 God bless him, and may he rest in peace!!

i remember Rick fondly! He was like the big brother  i necer had! He and i would go back and forth messing with each other . Often times having to be scolded by Susan to settle  down and behave. It was always a good time when he was around!! I will miss his smile and mischief dearly!! My most heart felt condolences to his wife his son , susan and christine!!

I can still hear this man’s voice clear as a bell in the moments I need coach the most.

I still remember when I found out coach died I found out on a Friday night looking them up on the internet and I went to sleep crying that night I was heartbroken I went to see him the next day to tombstone and the funny thing was I was crying so hard and so unconsolable that there was a mariachi band and they were looking at me that's how heartbroken I was coach was a good man a role model I wanted to be like them I would have given my left you know what to be to be his son he was a man's man a husband a father a great person I hope God gave him a break and let him in give him his wings I hope he's up there giving the Angels lessons on how to how to take people down

I still can't believe he died he was my role model I wanted to be like him I wanted to be around them you know I want I would have wanted him to be my dad his death really broke my heart really hurt me the day I I realized that he died I cried I went the next day and I left some flowers and there was another dead person right there and the Mariachi was right there mariachi band and they were looking at me that's how hurt and that's how much I weeped and cried and that's how much his death hurt me I wanted to see him I wanted him to be proud of me

The way I'm at coach was my sophomore year in Pacific high School just being in his class I don't care about any other classes but he is really a challenge me and when he told me about the wrestling team well I couldn't try out for basketball anymore but I stayed there 3 years I graduated I don't know how but coach has something to do with it love you coach

Coach Castro was my wrestling coach it was my science teacher even though I was paying to coach when I was a student in his class he still had me in his rest in gym and kept me away from friends that were no good I'm very grateful coach he influenced many people many many people in a good positive way I just want you guys who know him to know that his wife to know that v to know that and everybody in his family to know that he made a big impact in the world one person at a time

He was a good man and a good friend.  At college (UCSB) they called him the priest because he didn't drink or party.

He was caring and had a good sense of humor. He loved sports and loved staying active.  

Some of my best memories are of spending time with the entire family.  A special one is when we went to Sequoia National Park.  I also have great memories SCUBA diving with him off the coast of Santa Barbara. 

He was a hard worker and always could lend a hand helping others.  

He was so thoughtful to contact me when his father passed.  Then we lost contact again.  

I know his was a life well lived and he will be missed.    

I will look through photos and see if I have a few to submit. 
Thank you,
Tanji Rae Fields

I met Coach Castro when I was a student at Richardson Prep High.  He was always kind and just, and never looked down upon poor children for the things we lacked. He treated us with compassion and dignity, and it was this grace that kept his memory as one of my best teachers in mind over all these years. May the Light that he was continue through all whom he blessed, and may we also remember to let our lights shine for others who are in need of grace, compassion, and love.

Coach Castro and I ran into each other at Chuck E. Cheese a couple years ago and he actually remembered me and called me one of his favorite students. I also wouldn’t have been able to take a trip to Europe for school credits in high school if it wasn’t for his letter of recommendation. He was an amazing mentor for me and is missed incredibly. 

To my coach, one of the few male remodels that some of us had. You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. You not only motivated us and helped us grow into men, but you prepared us for life. Save me a seat in heaven with you and Andreas and I’ll see you at that State meet in the Sky. And this time I will place. That’s right coach, We Did That!!!!! 

I loved all our family outings and adventures!  It definitely felt like we were herding kittens with all the kiddos but we always had fun!  You are so missed and will forever be in our hearts.
💕The Huff Family

If you have a child that plays sports you quickly learn that what the Coach says is the rule we were very blessed that our children had the best of the best in this department  
Coach Castro came into our family when I told my son you can play football but I pick the next sport he agreed and wrestling became a stable in our home the memories my children will have of the many crazy adventures with the Castro family will forever be dear in their hearts
My girls still in middle school at the time and continued during HS went with Coach Castro and two vans full of wrestlers every weekend to attend tournaments that would be unheard of today I never worried about them I knew they were safe 
Coach Castro and I made a great team way after my children graduated my favorite story was when I ask Coach if he could get another mom to be team mom he asked why and I said I have only one son and he is turning 30 he was so surprised he laughed and asked when did he get as old as me we both laughed till tears his favorite story was when he found my son standing out side the locker room waiting to get ready for practice wearing his shirt and shoe socks and tightie whites 😂  as you all know Miss V never turned her head the other way when it came to dress code back in the day the boys got in trouble for white t shirts and over sized pants the bigger and baggy the better well my son would barrow Nick’s pants I stopped in and caught him so I asked for them Coach called me and said your heart less  I reminded him I enforce the rules all day I couldn’t turn my head just because it was my son he laughed and agreed  of course I couldn’t do that now with coed teams what great memories are family has Coach Castro and his sister  will always hold special place in our home best family ever will miss you my friend your memory will be forever eternal 
 

“Coach Castro was a great coach/teacher at Pacific high School who change many student life for better in the future. I wrestle for Coach the year of 2004-2007. Wrestling was very hard difficult full of anger but I got through with the losing stages to become a winner in matches. Castro push me through it to win matches telling me how bad you want to win  only you can decide. He always had interesting story’s to tell in his biology class and sometimes it don’t be on the subject teaching it.  You’ll be missed by family’s / friends may you rest easy  Coach Castro may your legacy continue.”

I met Coach Rick in 1988, Coach Bob Vargas and Coach Rick Castro brought me to the mat  at  San Bernardino Valley College.   Coach Rick took the time and made me feel like part of his family. He taught me about wrestling and about life. I still remember the "battles" we had together in the wrestling room like it was yesterday.   If it wasn't for Coach Rick,  I would not have made it to the State Meet.   Great Memories and Life lessons in the wrestling room and on the Mat.   Even years after I finished competition wrestling, Coach Rick always had time to talk and catch up at wrestling tournaments.   We even wrestled in the back rooms.....

Today, I am passing the wrestling skills he taught me on to the young athletes. His wrestling legacy will continue. 

"Thank You Coach Rick... See you on the other side."

My deepest condolences out the Castro and Vargas family.  

Frank Acuña and Family  
Indio, Ca


Its sad when you lose someone close.:  family member, friend, or just some one you really didn't know that well.  What do you say?  But the upside is that now that person is with God enjoying the wonderful Gift of The Father.

Ricky was my cousin.  I remember when he was born.  When he was very young his sister Christina and I use to call Ricky over to smell our feet....And he'd do it.  We thought that was so funny.  Christina and I would laugh and laugh when Ricky did this.  There are so much more things lilke this I could say but it would take too long.  Any ways my memories of my cousin Ricky will always be with me.  He will always be with us in spirit.  My heart goes out to his family.  God Bless Ricky's spririt.  

With heart felt love from your cousins,
Steve & Gloria 

I am very honored to have been able to assist coach Castro, I affectionately called him Cass, we shared many great times with wrestling program, but Cass was a very caring, loving and dedicated man, he went above and beyond to help anyone in need, he taught all who came in contact with him valuable life lessons and I'm sure his ex-players can attest to, I can remember some our long winded conversations on many subjects,  he will always hold a special place in my heart, cuz I always knew where his heart was.
You will truly be missed Cass, love Levi Chin, your humble assistant for years.

As a member of Rick’s extended family, he always made you feel welcome in his home and loved to talk with you about almost anything.  He was a great attentive listener and conversationalist who made you feel that what you had to say was important to him.  He would ask lots of questions too with a very inquisitive mind. 

He had a very gentle and caring spirit.  The years passed too quickly and I wish I had gotten to know him better.   All my love and heart felt sympathy to his family and friends, God bless us all. 

The Inland Empire Future Leaders youth program  will forever remember Ricky’s wonderful spirit!  He served as a camp leader and lit up his Familia group, always looking to do good for others, sharing his positive outlook on life, and making us all laugh.  Rest In Peace, friend...🙏🏽🕊

Rick was an inspiration to all he had contact with . He encouraged his wrestlers to become the best that they could be. I became a wrestling mom when Nick started wrestling and continued with Tim. Weekends were often dedicated to Open tournaments throughout Southern California.  
Thank you to his family for sharing Rick with others. 


I met Rick in 8th grade after moving to Bloomington from Ohio. man did he like to talk. All through high school, Rick proved to be an amazing athlete and leader. I'll never forget lining him up in my sights during varsity football practice and ready to lower the boom on him and him just demolishing me as he crossed the goal line. Hardest hit I ever experienced. We will miss him greatly, but when he arrives at the pearly gates and if St.. Peter has any doubts about his entrance, Rick to be sure will talk his way in. God bless you pal. Prayers to your family and love ones.

You and Louise both welcomed Ashley into the family with open arms. You made her feel apart of it. I enjoyed talking with you very much. I still remember the last time we were at the house, you and Nana both held great conversation with us. Rick, rest now with the Angels... You will be missed.

The night before a girls wrestling  tournament, I was held hostage at gun point in my home, home life wasn’t great and  I was suffering a significant medical problem. He knew what was going on but he took me to this tournament anyway and he picked my head up when I thought I couldn’t get through another round. He said,” life is a struggle it’s why we wrestle”. I took first in that tournament that day. I’ll never forget when he took the medal out of its plastic wrapper, hugged me and he said, “I’m proud of you.” that was the first time I ever felt those words and they were life changing. I cherish that moment above all others in my life. He taught me to be limitless and believe in myself,  it’s shaped me and made me the woman I am today. I’ve been paying it forward ever since. I never got to tell him that because it was too mushy.  

Mr. Castro was my teacher at Pacific.(94-97) He was my favorite teacher of all time in high school because he taught about real life. He didn't teach straight from a text book like 95% of other teachers I've had before. He told me things that I still tell others about to this day. He talked to me about things I was actually interested in, like health and fitness.  I was a cheerleader and very interested in managing my weight and eating healthy. He told me I could be in a fitness career or possibly bodybuilding if I wanted to in the future with the muscle and shape I was in.  He explained all the ways I  would gain weight in the future if I didn't watch it LOL.....and yes he was right!! He taught me so much I will never forget.  He always believed in me. He always had a kind, but true response to me everytime he saw me out of class. I never became a bodybuilder,  but I did own my own Jazzercise and I still teach aerobics to this day. I know he helped me achieve this from his encouragement to be the best I could be. Gosh, I will miss him, but his words are still alive and well in my heart and mind. 
I look forward to the day we meet again......maybe I can teach him an aerobics class ;) lol  Lots of love Richard Castro, we will meet again in heaven one day!
 

Walking into Mr. Castro's class the first day you immediately knew he was different. It was often contemplated in my head if he was crazy or brilliant, eventually I settled on both but mostly brilliant. The first day he didnt do anything like the other teachers, he just talked and talked and than talked some more. Not much about science or biology or curriculum, but about how he already knew us. He laid out all the reasons why people thought we couldn't and than called bull. He never hesitated to tell the truth as he saw it even if it was a hard truth.  The things I learned in that classroom have carried me through my life. The words replay, I say them to my own children now. He encouraged us to think outside the box, to educate ourselves, to be a difference. Its sad to me that he is gone from here now, but I know by the type of person Mr. Castro was that he will live on forever, not only in memory, but in the lessons, skills, and ideas that he has passed along and will continue to get passed along. He was funny. He was sarcastic. He laughed with you. He is unforgettable! 

I had  the pleasure of having coach Castro as a wrestling coach at Pacific high School for 2002 and 2003 school year .very noble man .....last time I seen mr. Castro was about a year ago he was walking out of the same bank as mine on Sierra way in San Bernardino he recognized me before I recognized him what a great man and legend

I met Richard when he was running for mayor of San Bernardino back in 2013. Oh man was he such a great energy to be around. I had never met someone as kind and compassionate as him, trying  to serve as an elected official. After that I continued to see him at community events, and he always greeted me with such a great and positive energy. He also always told me a new story about his past every time I saw him, it was really nice. I just really appreciated how sincere and genuine he was! I'm thankful that our paths crossed, rest in power Castro! 

I had the pleasure of having Mr Castro in my freshman year at San G. He was taking over for Mr Hanson who became ill. I believe it was his 1st long term teaching job. What he brought to the class was just a genuine caring for “his” students. Even if he did bring vegamite for us to try. I would always see him all three high school and he never forgot you. I would also run into him around town and he would always ask about how things are going. Fast forward to my sons going to high school and playing water polo. And they have a teammate whose last name was Castro and his Dad is a wrestling Coach. And there he is again and there we are talking and updating each other since we last saw each other. Such an Amazing  ,Caring,  individual , who a lot of people when he first spoke in the class thought” Who is this guy,a New York cab driver?” Im so happy I got to have you as not only a teacher, but a friend and a fellow parent of a Pirate. You will never be forgotten.
RIP Mr Castro 

I met coach my freshman year ofhigh school. He was my football coach and wrestling coach. He knew my brothers from years past and had coached them toom he taught me how to believe in my self and my abilities. He caught me ditching one time and laaaiiidddd into me  however he was very supportive when i made the decision to go to Sierra High to graduate on time. He was always encouraging and hard on you when needed. I cried with him, laughed with him, and 100% loved the amazing man he was. 

Thank you coach for being my number one!

I was just cut from the freshman basketball team, and I had a few friends from the football team convince me to come join the wrestling team. Even though I felt like an outsider, you always coached me up telling how I was improving and it'll all come together for me. By the end of the season, it finally clicked, and I became a pretty solid wrestler from that day forward. Thank you for letting ragtag bunch of misfits be exactly who they were. You let us have our own personalities and fought for us when we walked out in protest at winter sports rally my junior year. You'll be dearly missed.

Dominic "Spooks" Perkins 
C/O 2002


I first met Coach castro in 2008 going on to 2009 my graduating year, i was already doing 0 to 6th period and at one point I wanted to give up and just graduate the following year, Coach saw me break down by his class room during lunch time, he lectured me on how life after high school wasn't going to be any easier and how the only person to be able to change my future and how easy or hard i wanted my life to be was myself, so after all that happened he said wipe ur tears and lets get you to pass my class because i dont want to see you here every year😂 and if he did that he'd probably would see the day i would walk into his class with a cane or a walker lol... hands down bestttttttttttttt teacher ever #MyFavoritePirate ❤ Thanks to Coach Castro not only did become a Nurse but I have also learned to manage being a single mother and his life lesson lecture will always stay with me. My heart is heavy in many ways, but until we meet again coach ❤ I know ur Resting now #HeavenGainedAnAngel you'll always be missed ..

Richard Castro what can I say you are like a best friend just older and wiser. I first met you in the summer and fall of 1999 at Pacific high school in San Bernardino as a freshman. I can only say I was honored and blessed to have started my new journey with you as a Pirate at Pacific. You showed me how to overcome obstacles and challenges that as a teenager would prepare me to face the world as a man. I remember when you saw me cry because my parents couldn't afford my gradnite and prom ticket and there you were with a big smile on your face wiping my tears and saying look who's going we are lol. Man I remember all the chats and practices like it was yesterday I swear coach you planted seeds in my brain that only made me see the world in a different aspect. Can't believe how brave you were to go through 5 generations of the Ramirez's back to back. Always much love and respect for you and the family.
                           Sincerely,
                           Raymond and the Ramirez's

OBITUARIO

Richard "Ricky" Thomas Castro

7 mayo, 1957 – 13 septiembre, 2019

Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery

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