Richard Thomas Minks (1930-2015) was born in Barberton, Ohio of Gail and Pricilla Minks. He had one brother, Harry, who is now deceased. He always was an excellent student and became valedictorian for his senior class. From 1951-53 he served in Korea in the U.S. Army.
After coming home he began his studies and received two Master’s Degrees from Akron University and Kent State University. Richard started teaching math in Barberton Junior High School in 1959 and taught there for 4 years.
In 1963 he met his wife to be, Margaret Brand, a first year teacher, and six months later they were married and on their way to Oxnard, California where he started teaching math at Hueneme High School. Five years later their son Christopher was born.
Richard’s teaching experiences were expanding beyond Oxnard. He was awarded three Science Foundation Grants to Boston College to study during the summers. He had two contracts to teach in Germany under the auspices of the Department of Defense Schools.
After returning to Ventura, he started teaching calculus at night school for Ventura and Oxnard Colleges. Altogether he had a 43 year teaching career. Richard also enjoyed working at Auto Stiegler Mercedes Benz dealership in Encino for several years until age 76. Richard’s smile and sincerity delighted all who knew him.
He loved people, he enjoyed traveling, and had a beautiful baritone singing voice. He also served as a deacon at Ventura Missionary Church for many years. Richard was a devoted, loving, supportive husband to Margaret and to their son Christopher and to his wife Masayo Maeda of Japan and their two darling sons Koushin and Taishin of Ventura.
Richard is survived by one half-brother Denzel Wasch and two half-sisters, Bobby Jo Brown and Vivian Young.
A graveside service will be held with military honors in Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo on Friday 24th at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Rabbi Shimon Paskow and Pastor Leonard DeWitt.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s name may be made to Ventura Missionary Church, 500 High Point Drive, Ventura, CA 93003. Arrangements are under the care of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001.