Richard Donald Cadanau Sr., aged 93, passed away from this life on August 13, 2024, at Township Assisted Living in Springfield, MO. Richard was born on August 5, 1931, in Clayton, MO, to Otto Martin and Caroline Johanna (Schillinger) Cadanau. After spending most of his childhood in Normandy, MO, Richard graduated from the Sullivan (MO) High School with the Class of 1949. He served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956 with one tour aboard the USS Intrepid. He was an aviation machinist mate with the only piston powered squadron aboard the carrier on that cruise. Richard was married to the love of his life Rachel Faye (Johnston) Cadanau on April 21, 1956, in Corpus Christi, TX. They were blessed with 52 years together and raised three children: sons Richard Jr. and wife of 49 years Debra, of Willow Springs, MO; Rodney and wife of 42 years Sydney Hoeltzli, of St. Louis, MO; and daughter Rhonda Axtell and husband of 41 years Russ, of Springfield, MO.
After Richard retired as Maintenance Supervisor for the Willow Springs School District in 1993, he and Rachel traveled in their RV, snow birding in Arizona and Texas. Before that, he and Rachel owned and operated Rich’s Daisy Queen in Willow Springs for 9 years. He also worked for Elgin Watch, working on timing systems for the Apollo space program, and Ampex Data Systems becoming a final inspector over the audio/visual line while living in Elgin, IL. He began his career as a production mechanic at McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis and Douglas Aircraft in Los Angeles. Early on Richard took college courses in electronics which served him at work and as a hobby, getting his amateur radio license with a call sign of N0WID. Richard loved animals and on the farm in Willow Springs he was able to make a living raising and making pets of them all. He was involved in the beginnings of the Feeder Pig Association in Howell County using his 1966 VW van to haul whatever was needed. Richard had a lively sense of humor and enjoyed woodworking, travel, spending time with his family, and cheesecake. He liked mechanics, remodeled several homes, and at one time had his own darkroom developing his own pictures. One of the things Richard was most proud of, other than his kids, was his military service. Through that he joined the American Legion and was a member for many years, serving in offices as needed.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Rachel, and his sister, Dorothy Muench. Richard is survived by his three children and their spouses. He is also survived by three granddaughters: Karen Miller (John), Kristina Smith (Joshua), and Lucy Cadanau, and seven great-grandchildren; Eian Miller, Keegan Miller, Tatiana Miller, Oksanna Miller, Katarina Miller, Yakira Smith, and Konrad Smith.
Services for Richard will be held August 29, 2024, 10 a.m., at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO, followed by interment with military honors at Springfield National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Alzheimer’s Association, or American Cancer Society.
