Obituaries

Richard S. Vender, Santa Fe, March 10

Richard S. Vender, born in Brooklyn, NY on April 14, 1939. Richard passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 10, 2021 in Santa Fe, NM. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Stanley Vender, many aunts, uncles, and infant granddaughter, Grace E. Vender.

He is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Arlene K. Vender; his children, Kenneth Vender and wife Jane, Douglas Vender and wife Kelley, Janet Reedle and husband Brent; 5 grandchildren, 2 greatgrandchildren, and many cousins. Richard and Arlene were high school sweethearts in Flushing, NY where they married in 1960. They moved from New York to Dallas, TX in 1976, then retired to Santa Fe, his favorite city, in 1999. Together, they traveled the world, visiting cousins in England and Poland, touring, and vacationing in many countries.

Richard was employed by JCPenney in New York City and Plano, TX, and retired after 31 years in Plano, TX.

Richard loved history and sharing his knowledge with his family and friends. He always enjoyed helping people from coaching his children’s soccer teams when they were young to volunteering with the HOSTS program in the Santa Fe Public Schools. He was President of the Board of Open Hands. He mentored more than 55 immigrants in Santa Fe through the United States Citizenship Program to become US Citizens. Richard proudly flew the American flag every day at his home.

He was a loving, wonderful, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and role model. Richard always made sure his family was protected in so many ways and shared advice to all, even to his last breath.

Richard was a devoted Catholic. His funeral mass was held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Coppell, TX and he was laid to rest in Restland Memorial Gardens in Dallas, TX.

Memorials may be made to the National Dance Institute New Mexico, Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe, or MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.