Richard Mendoza

Richard Mendoza, 78 of Longmont, passed away February 20, 2019. Richard was born on December 10, 1940 in San Antonio, Texas to Enrique and Carmen (Garcia) Mendoza. He was one of ten children, the fourth oldest. He grew up in Texas and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1960. Richard earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University in Los Angeles, where he was on the Dean's list and active in Tau Beta Pi (president) and Eta Kappa Nu. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1963 and was honorably discharged. On February 17, 1968, Richard married Sonia Rayes, with whom he had four children and enjoyed 19 years together. He worked at IBM in San Jose while helping Sonia build their company, Alamo Electronic Components. His children fondly remember helping out at Alamo alongside Richard and Sonia.In 1986, he moved from California to Boulder, Colorado where he worked as an engineer for StorageTek.Richard planted roots in Colorado at the house on Ipswich Street that his entire family knows so well and still owns. He returned to Texas, where he continued working as an engineer for Compaq and Dell, and met Jennifer Burns. On February 23, 2002, he married Jennifer and welcomed their daughter Isabella later the same year. He moved back to Colorado in 2003 and worked for Quantum. Upon his retirement in 2006, he and his family moved to Longmont, Colorado where he lived happily until his passing. As anyone would attest, Richard's primary joy was his family and taking care of them in any way possible. He provided invaluable insight, advice, and guidance to everyone who asked (or sometimes didn't ask). His proudest accomplishments were his five strong, successful, and wonderful children. His eyes lit up when he could hold a baby, and time with his grandchildren was a gift. He always had candy in his pockets and hugs to give. He never held any of his children to a mold; he was proud of each of them for their unique talents and personalities. He only insisted that they challenge themselves, work hard, and find their passion. Richard was active in the Senior Volleyball League in Colorado and enjoyed home improvement. From plumbing and carpentry to gardening and electrics, he equally mended, created, and wreaked havoc in all of his children's homes over the years. From California, Texas, and Colorado to London, he made his mark by improving the appearance and functionality of his family's homes so that they could live happier and more comfortably. He travelled extensively with Jennifer and Bella, taking the lead on many European adventures from the time that Bella was 5 years old. He loved to venture out and explore just as much as he loved to settle down and enjoy the comforts of his home with his family and a tray of homemade Mendoza recipe enchiladas.He is preceded in death by his parents. Richard's humor, charm, work ethic, love of birds, and impressive cooking skills are survived by his loving wife, Jennifer Mendoza, their daughter Isabella Karina, and Jennifer's sons Jordan and Kelan. He is also survived by his first wife Sonia Rayes Mendoza, their four children: Katherine Mendoza Lowrimore, Anthony Mendoza, Tania Thoroughgood, and Michael Mendoza, his grandchildren: Justin, Sofia, Brian, Alton, David, Alex, Teresa, Minnie, and Asha, and nine siblings: Henry, Minnie, Irma, Mary Carmen, Rose Mary, Ramie, Roger, Bobby and Margaret. A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. His heart belonged to both Colorado and Texas, and a second service will be held in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, March 8 at St Ann's. A military ceremony will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Monday March 11. Share condolences at www.ahlbergfuneralchaple.com