Richard Soeldner, 74, a longtime resident of Winter Park, Florida (formerly of Elizabeth and Roselle, NJ) died at home after a brief illness. He died surrounded by family and sharing and singing songs from his own playlist including John Denvers "Country Roads."
Richard is survived by his loving wife Pat, of 15 years, his step-daughter Heather and her husband Mike, their children Kaitlyn, Ryan and Hunter; his stepson David and wife Ivy and their daughter Abigal, his sister Kay Como and her husband Joe of Wayne, NJ and his sister Dale and husband Roy of Thousand Oaks, California, nephew David and wife kathy and great niece Emma ; nephew Brian and wife Heather and great nephews David and Andrew, and niece Suzanne and husband Mike and great nephews Michael and Christopher.
Rich was a 1965 graduate of Newark College of Engineering and received his Masters in Physics from Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida. He worked his entire career as a civilian for the United States Navy with many creative accomplishments, especially in software development.
Rich was an avid basketball fan and loved working out at THE RDV SportsPlex in Orlando where basketball was his exercise of choice. Rich was commonly referred to as "Shooter" at the RDV SportsPlex. If you mention the Orlando Magic you have his attention. He was also a big fan of UCF and enjoyed the winning season.
Rich enjoyed many years of exciting travel with his wife Pat traveling extensively through the United States and many tris abroad.
Rich was a truly unique man, smart but modest, thorough in things he did, honest to a fault, loyal in big and small things, kind, no useless words of critism from him. Rich loved science; would seek depth of understanding not superficial knowledge. He was a man of character, of loving self-sacrifice for others, of goodness and of some indefinable ingredients that made him such a special and treasured human being. Richard, a gentle man and a gentleman. A man of peace, may he forever rest in peace.
Memorial will be at the Clubhouse at the lake at 1500 Gay Road, Winter Park, Florida at 3 pm Saturday, December 16. 2017.