“Nothing good ever comes from seeking gain for oneself, however by giving to others the rewards are immediate and greater than expected.”
Richard Hayes Cesler, Sr, 75, of Boise, ID, passed away on July 16, 2023. He grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he attended and graduated from Cradock High School on June 9, 1966. During his high school career, he was a lettered athlete in basketball, all star track & field (high jump), football, baseball, and participated in the Junior Olympics. His high school nickname was “The Grasshopper” because of how high he could jump. He was awarded a basketball scholarship for college and had an opportunity to try out for the Olympics but instead chose to serve his country in the Air Force during the Vietnam war. He continued playing basketball while in the service and, after discharge, was given a scholarship to play college basketball.
Rich joined the US Air Force directly out of high school and received an early release in 1972 due to budgetary limitations. At the time he was discharged, he had obtained the rank of Sergeant. He was trained as a Jet Aircraft Mechanic and Aircraft Maintenance Technician. He served as a crew chief in Saigon, Vietnam, working on F-111 aircraft. On May 27, 1968, the North Vietcong attacked the Tansonnhut Airbase where he was stationed. Like most Vietnam veterans, Rich did not talk about his experiences in Vietnam until much later in life.
Rich was a true renaissance man. He dabbled in many different hobbies and occupations during his life. He began his career in the Air Force and (in no particular order) was a life insurance agent, a police officer, Veteran Service Officer, small business owner, general contractor, cargo/baggage handler, senior customer service agent, international head judge for car stereo contests, promoter, Director of two State Veteran cemeteries, beta tester, trainer, VFW state commander, he drafted legislation, delivered seminars, was a competitor at car stereo contests, a published writer, and a die-hard veteran supporter and advocate. He collected war and Veteran memorabilia, most dating back to the Grand Army of the Republic and Civil War. He belongs to various organizations including American Legion, Vietnam Veterans, Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), POW / MIA, Am Vets, and a Purple Hearts Associate Member.
In the 1990’s, Rich embarked on an obsession with car stereos. At first, he just designed his own stereo system and would compete at local car stereo competitions. He began travelling to regional and then national competitions, learning all that he could. Along the way, he decided to review and re-write the IASCA (International Sound Challenge Association) official competition rule book and submitted his suggestions. IASCA made him an official judge and he spent several years judging competitions around the world. He eventually opened his own stereo shop in Meridian, ID, called The Power House Car Audio.
Later in life he discovered his true passion, supporting veterans and veteran organizations. He pursued a career as a Veteran Service Officer and eventually became the Director of the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery located in Boise, ID and then the Director of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery located in Medical Lake, WA (of which he oversaw the design and construction). He spent tireless hours fundraising and initiating new memberships for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Rich was the founder and driving force behind the Missing in America Project (MIAP) whose goal is to locate the unclaimed cremains of abandoned and forgotten veterans ensuring that they receive their entitled burial benefits and honors. He is responsible for the recovery of nearly 5800 veterans, some dating back to the Civil War, and helped to change laws allowing funeral homes to release remains.
Rich had an amazing sense of humor and thoroughly enjoyed teasing and embarrassing his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children. He was rarely serious (and don’t call him Shirley). If you met him, you were subjected and tormented with silly dad jokes and one-liners. This was one of his greatest joys, to laugh and make others laugh. Some of his favorite comedians were Steve Martin, Cheech & Chong, and Chevy Chase. Every family get-together included watching a silly movie as a group and laughing. He referred to himself as the “King of the Universe” and preferred to be addressed this way.
He was the proud owner of a Puerto Rican driver’s license. When staying in Puerto Rico, he made it a point to learn how to say, “I have ants in my pants” in Spanish and frequently repeated this to people he met. He said he was often given strange looks.
Richard is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joyce; his six children and their spouses: Michelle and Steve Lofing, Marya and Bill Fittje, Ted and Heather Cesler, Richard Jr. and Jessica Cesler, Susan and Merlin Pursley, and Toni and Glen Kinde; 17 grandchildren, Billy Fittje, Kevin Enright, Jenna Covarrubias, Amanda King, Tristan Enright, Jacolby Sims, Garrod Bennett, Dakota Shumway, Brock Wilcomb, Haley Cesler, Ethan Cesler, Korbin Thomas, Noah Kinde, Kali Cesler, Carter Kinde, Taylor Thomas, Degan Kinde, Alex Thomas; 20 great-grandchildren; and various cousins, aunts, uncles, and other family members.
He is preceded in death by his parents Martha and James Jackson, father Gordon Cesler, and brother Tommy Cesler.
The memorial service for Rich will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery located at 10100 Horseshoe Bend Road in Boise, Idaho. A celebration of life will follow immediately after at 4325 N. Marcliffe Pl, Boise, ID 83704. Open sharing will take place at the celebration of life. Rich’s family would appreciate hearing your stories and memories – good, bad, possibly illegal – we want to hear it all.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Rich’s honor to the Missing in America Project (MIAP): https://www.miap.us/donate