Richard Lopez Acosta

Richard was born on October 2, 1937 in Elgin, Texas to Antonio Acosta, Sr. and Elvira Lopez Acosta. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1955 where he played football. Soon after graduating, Richard enlisted in the Navy. In 1957, he served on the USS Pictor, a stores ship that replenished supplies for aircraft carriers and other Naval vessels. After serving in the Navy, Richard remained on the island of Guam where he met his first wife, Maria San Nicolas Acosta.

Richard and Maria married in Indiana in 1962, while he was attending Indiana Institute of Technology. The newlyweds had the desire to head West, and after a brief stay in Dallas, they settled down in San Francisco. Richard started a career in government service completing a machinist apprenticeship program at Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. In 1968, Richard transferred to the Naval Air Rework Facility in Alameda where he worked as a General Foreman until retirement.

While working full-time, Richard returned to college. He spent his evenings and weekends studying while juggling responsibilities for his two young sons and baby daughter: Darren, Eric, and Desiree. He obtained his Associate of Arts degree from Chabot College in Hayward, California in 1972, and continued his studies in Business Administration at Cal State University, Hayward. Richard was a believer in formal education. He received many business certifications and attended educational seminars throughout his lifetime.

Richard was a long-time resident of the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1975, Richard and Maria bought a home in Fremont, CA and lived there for close to 15 years. Richard enjoyed taking the kids on bike rides, jogging, or picnicking at the central park, Lake Elizabeth. Richard also loved racquet sports and spent free time playing tennis with his kids, or racquetball at the local health club. In 2003, Richard moved from California to Las Vegas, Nevada. He took pride in maintaining the many trees and roses in his yard there. He also became an avid bird lover, and had many pet parakeets as well as his beloved Cockatoo, Toby.

In his later years, Richard spent much of his time at home watching old movies and taking care of his birds. Although he seemed more comfortable with solitude, Richard relished the occasional visits from extended family, and time with his daughter, Desiree and her kids who lived in town. He also loved to eat out especially at the Las Vegas buffets, and any Mexican restaurant with homemade tamales or Menudo.

Richard was challenged by memory issues in later years and in 2019, he moved into Aegis Memory Care in Las Vegas. The Acosta family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Aegis staff for the kindness and great care Richard received while living there.

Richard is survived by his son Darren (Gail); son Eric (Nancy); daughter Desiree; brother Antonio “Tony” Jr. (Maxine); brother Daniel (Marty); and sister Gloria. He was also loved by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews, and nieces. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio Acosta Sr. and Elvira Lopez Acosta, and his first wife, Maria Nicolas Acosta.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 7 at 10:00am, with viewing at 8:00am. Services will be broadcast live at Masks and social distancing will be required if you choose to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or making a donation to an animal shelter in Richard’s honor. Condolences may be sent in care of Desiree Acosta Lin, 1930 Village Center Circle, Ste. 3-526, Las Vegas, NV 89134.