Richard Otto Kaufmann's Obituary
Dear Friends and Family, In light of the Christmas season, it is with heavy heart that I must inform you Richard O. Kaufmann has passed away. Richard (Ozzie to his friends) was strong, successful and full of life and he gave his all to everything he did. In the early days he spent time building the new fire house in North Madison, CT, where he served as President. Before he resigned from the fire house he sold the old 1940 Plymouth fire truck at auction, he was the only bidder and got the old truck for $300.00. Today the fire house is still in use and is a landmark in the area. Richard also spent time running his own company, "Thermal Engineering of Arizona, Inc.". Engineering and Design was one of his passions in life. He loved to figure a new way or better way of doing something. It was his background in mechanical engineering that gave him the insight on how to design and fabricate better water systems for the laundry industry. In his later years he would work in the office three days a week, talking to the staff to see what he could help with. If anyone would ask, Richard would tell them he was only there as a "suggester". Thermal is now going into its 36th year in business. Richard was also a private pilot and loved to fly. His first airplane was a Tripacer that he flew on his first trip out west just to explore the region. Later when using the airplane for business Richard upgraded to the Mooney. This was his "baby" he flew his plane all over the USA. He even took many trips into Mexico to visit places like the Mayan Ruins. There was even the annual trip down to Mexico where he would go out to do some Whale Watching. There were other trips to places like the Panama Canal and the many trips to the Oshkosh Air Show. Richard also had a love for old classic cars. He had a 56 Golden Hawk, 48 Lincoln Continental Convertible, 41 Plymouth pick-up (called Benson) and the 40 Plymouth pickup (called Nomad). Richard spent many hours working and restoring his cars. The 40 Plymouth was completely stripped down and rebuilt and is painted fire engine red. He not only rebuilt the cars and trucks, but would drive them to the office on different days of the week. Currently Richard was working on the restoration of the 41 Plymouth and it is very close to being finished. Richard loved life and lived it. He had a passion for history and traveled the world; to places like Germany, England, France, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, China, Australia, South America, Caribbean Islands, Alaska, Hawaii and countless places throughout the United States. If there was a place he wanted to visit, he went. You could say he is now on his last adventure. Richard O. Kaufmann passed away the 22nd of December 2012 at the age of 79. He is survived by Kenneth Kaufmann (son) and his wife Polly; Laura Miranto (daughter) and her husband Al; four grandchildren, Kristopher, Nicolle, Brad and Pauline and one great grandchild, Cole Neal. Chapel Services will be the 28th of December 2012 at 2 pm, held at EVERGREEN MORTUARY, 3015 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ 85705. Flowers can be sent to EVERGREEN MORTUARY or donations may be made to the following charities in his name: Arizona Public Media at https://support.azpm.org/ or call (800) 223-7192. Cards and letters can be mailed to Attn: Ken Kaufmann, 7850 N. Silverbell,Suite 114-302, Tucson, AZ 85743, email address: [email protected] . Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY & CEMETERY
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