Richard Thomas Kavanagh

Richard was born the fifth of eleven children to John F. and Lucille M. (Kuhn) Kavanagh on August 18, 1948 in Indianapolis, IN. He attended St. Joan of Arc School and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1966. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marian College in Indianapolis in 1971.

Richard entered the workforce as a young man by doing ground maintenance for CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) Camp Rancho Framasa in Brown County, Indiana. That is where his love of the outdoors really grew. He maintained the grounds, built fences, and helped to build a dining hall. He was never afraid of hard work. His career was as a civil servant for the United States Government where he worked for over 30 years as an auditor for the Department of Defense, Army Audit Agency and Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service and Special Project for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Albuquerque, NM.

Richard met the love of his life, Esperanza Siller, while they were both working in Manhattan, KS, and they married on May 10, 1985. He was the proud and loving father of son Michael, whose many sports activities Richard enjoyed attending. He and his family lived in Texas, New Mexico and settled in Lakewood, Colorado.

Richard enjoyed reading and many genres of music including, folk, jazz, country and bluegrass. He also enjoyed playing the guitar. He was an avid fan of Denver sports, and always appreciated a good game from the Avalanche, the Nuggets, the Broncos, and the Colorado Rockies. He also loved collecting Native American Art and spending time with family up in the mountains at their condo in Vail.

Richard's travels took him to Panama, Italy, Canada and Germany. He travelled extensively throughout the U.S. from Maine to California, and he enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii with his family several times. He had a love of the outdoors and its scenic beauty and all things Southwest. Attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was always a favored destination. Driving vacations were Richard's favorite. If he found a winding road he would take it. He always enjoyed a drive home to Indiana to visit with family and friends, too.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dennis J. Kavanagh, and his sister Sharon M. Hurley.

He is survived by his loving wife, Esperanza Siller-Kavanagh and son, Michael T. Kavanagh; his brothers John M. Kavanagh, Bernard P. (Marie) Kavanagh, Kevin F. (Karen) Kavanagh, Thomas V. Kavanagh, and his sisters, Rita K. Campbell, Marianne L. (J. Dale) Whitcomb, Grace E. (Kevin} Buchheit and Maureen K. (John) Murphy, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation in his memory.

A private interment will take place at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, and a celebration of his life will take place in Indianapolis, IN, at a future date.