Richard Nolen

Richard Allen Nolen passed away peacefully on Friday, April 22, 2022 with his wife Ann by his side.  He is survived by his wife, Karen Ann (Annie) Nolen, two sons, Ricky Nolen and Stacy Nolen, his brothers Charles and James, his daughter in-laws, Carol and Becky, his grandchildren, Trina, Cory(Samantha), Allison(Nick), Trevor, Cayde, Parker, Alisha(Nick), Shelby and Zach. His great grandchildren, Savanna, Vinnie, Chance, Kaleia, Kylana, Jaiden, Kyler and Luka.  His brothers, Jimmy(Sandy) Nolen and Charles(Vicki) Nolen, both of Arizona and many nieces and nephews.He is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Dora Nolen of Arizona and his brother, Robert Nolen of Texas.

Richard was born in San Antonio,Texas on August 10, 1943. He became an Ironworker early on, following in his father’s footsteps and had a very successful and fulfilling career. He worked on many projects throughout the United States including, the Cypress Freeway after the Loma Prieta Earthquake, the NASA Ames Research Center and many bridges including the Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, Richmond-San Rafael, Benicia, Carquinez and a few in Oregon, in Multnomah County. He built the restaurant atop of the Hemisphere Tower of the Americas for the 1968 Worlds Fair in Texas. He was also in charge of the new cranes being unloaded from transport ships and installed at the Port of Oakland. He won a National Award while working for Christie Constructors for Superintendent of the Year.

 His Ironworking skills were well known and his sons often heard stories from their uncles and other Ironworkers about Richard being the “the best connector I ever saw” and fun stories like the Midnight Raising Gang.

He was a self taught musician, playing his guitars and keyboards by ear and enjoyed just playing and singing in the comfort of his home and for his family. Besides eating ice cream, one of his favorite hobbies was photography with his favorite subjects being his family.  His photo collection is well into the thousands and we are grateful for each one of them. Once he received his first digital camera, you rarely saw him without it.His most favorite thing to do however was to dance with his wife Ann and they danced together for almost 60 years.  If the music was playing, he was reaching for her hand.  They married after only three dates and had the most beautiful, loving marriage that was full of love and laughter.Richard was the kindest, most loving man and was a gentleman to the core.  

His Texas upbringing would allow nothing less.  He had a soft spoken manner that when you met him, you instantly liked him.           

Richard was a double lung transplant recipient and the family is eternally grateful to the young woman and her family that gave us fourteen more precious years with him.

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