Richard Fred Cordes

Richard, Dick to those he knew, was born in Denver Co, to Richard Joseph and Dolores Cordes. He went to Regis high school and then joined the Navy. He got an appointment to the Naval Academy but turned it down to go back to school at Regis College in Denver.

Janet Magdalen Callahan first met Dick through mutual friends she was his pen pal while he was in the Navy. When he returned from the seas (ok he was stationed in Hawaii how hard is that?) he and Janet when on their first date and eventually fell in love. They married in 1954. They had 6 absolutely fabulous kids. Greg, Linda, Sharon, Ron, Chris, and Meg. They also have 25 Amazing Grandchildren, and 11 Phenomenal Great Grandchildren. (guess who wrote this!)

Dick worked in Aerospace for Boeing, and Lockheed Martin for almost 40 years. Most of which were in California where he finally retired. His grandchildren like to think he was a spy. Oh the romance of that. He was by all accounts, in “business development” but we many never know the whole story now.

Dick with Janet by his side, travelled the country by train, Dick had a fear of flying but her also just loved the rail. His father worked for the Union Pacific RR back in the days and Dick grew up around trains. They would criss cross the country stopping to see children and grands along the way. When they ran out of land, they boarded cruise ships and sailed the seas. They crossed the Atlantic twice, railed around Europe of course, sailed to Alaska, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Dicks’ last wish was to cross the pacific and sail to Hawaii.

His train loving didn’t stop at just riding them, in every house except the last one, he always had a model train set up somewhere. He loved building the small houses, putting lights in for the streets lamps, and even built a mountain that the train could go through. The train is now set up in Greg’s basement and the tradition continues with Greg’s grandchildren Gwen and Jude. Visiting rights to the trains and invitation to collaborate granted to all Dick’s family.

Dick is also survived by his big sister Sylvia Sampair of Raleigh NC. and a whole pack of nieces, nephews and more!

His service is listed below. We know that everyone can’t attend but would love to hear your stories. If you wish to post one, we will be sure to read them all to Janet. Flowers are welcomed, but memories will last forever! Please share your favorite story about Richard in the link below.

We love you DAD!