Richard L. Hugunin, Sr.

Richard L. Hugunin, 58, beloved husband, father and brother, died Thursday, November 26, 2009, at his home in Overland Park, Kansas.

Richard loved music, dancing and entertaining people. His generosity to anyone in need was family legend. As his wife put, he would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it more than he did. Richard was born June 19, 1951, to Jesse and Rachael Hugunin in Kansas City, Kansas. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Shawnee in 1969. During those school years, he developed his musical talents, picking up the piano, accordion and harmonica. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for a brief stint. In 1971, he married Laura Remlinger and they had two children.

Over the years, Richard worked many places, including Dahl Foods and St. Agnes School. He had fond memories of working as maintenance supervisor at St. Agnes and went on to provide custodial services for other catholic churches and schools. He also ran his own business, Corner to Corner. He specialized in wood floors, but also did carpentry and renovations around the Kansas City area, including in older homes in Brookside that needed custom work. His clients called him an “artist of floors.”

At home, he was devoted to his wife, his sons and grandchildren. He had a soft spot for children and “adopted” some other children into his family circle over the years. He also loved his pets, including a Chihuahua he rescued on the highway and two parrots he inherited from a relative. Richard enjoyed tending his yard and decorating it for holidays. The night before he died, he had just finished putting out all his Christmas lawn decorations and had wired a new motion sensor decoration on the front door to surprise his wife.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Hugunin and two brothers, Roger and Laurence. Survivors include his wife, Laura (Remlinger) Hugunin; two sons, Rick Hugunin Jr. of Overland Park, Kansas, and children Jesse and Wolfgang; and Dr. Joseph Hugunin and wife, Danielle of Lawrence, Kansas, and children Shaleigh and Kennedy; and two who were like daughter and son to Richard: Jerren Spring and children Brody and Taylor; and Michael Radcliffe and daughter Megan; his mother, Rachael (Van den Broecke) Hugunin, Overland Park, Kansas; five sisters: Ruth Hartung and husband Darryl of Marshall, Missouri, and children; Cathy Biggs and Ralph Freyaldenhoven of Lake Lotawana, Missouri, and children; Judy Hugunin of Overland Park, Kansas; Jessica Hugunin of Kansas City, Missouri; and Teresa Gardner and husband Dan of Overland Park, Kansas, and children.

Visitation and Funeral Mass

Friends may call from 6- 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, where a Rosary will be said at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 2 at the Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd Street, in Overland Park; burial in the Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.