Lt. Richard C. Kastl, 82, Retiree of the Lorain Fire Department

He had worked for the L.F.D. for thirty-one years. Rich served as a fireman, fleet mechanic, and subsequently retired at the rank of Lieutenant. He was proud to have served the citizenry of Lorain for more than three decades.

Rich was always willing to lend a helping hand when someone was in need. The cars he kept running for family, friends, and friends’ families are too numerous to count; it didn’t matter the weather, how much time he had, where he was located, or that he was engaged in a battle with A.L.S. Rich was always First In, Last Out beyond his service as a fireman whether it was a church dinner, other special events at church, family reunions, or other numerous family adventures.

He was born March 21, 1940 at Lorain St. Joseph Hospital to Emil and Mary (nee Karnik) Kastl. He remained a resident of the city for his entire life. Rich was a 1958 Class B graduate of Lorain High School; he later served in the United States Air Force where he fulfilled duty assignments as an Airman Third Class in the motor pool at Elgin Air Force Base in Florida.

He belonged to the International Association of Firefighters Local 267 and had been a member of the Faith United Methodist Church for sixty-eight years; he was proud to have served many years in different committees there. Rich remained the custodian and a trustee at the church until he became unable to continue his service due to health reasons. He lived his faith by keeping grace, courage, dignity, and determination during his trial with A.L.S. His consistent response when asked how he was doing was “The best I can”.

Rich was a member of the Kitchen Kuties and the Singing Seniors. Members of the signing groups could always depend on him for rides to the many care facilities where he enjoyed performing for the residents.

Rich enjoyed working on cars, supporting Admiral King High School along with the Lorain Titans football and basketball teams, rides in the country, camping, boating, fishing, and visiting his Uncle Joe’s cabin on Clendening Lake. Rich also enjoyed attending the many events in which his grandchildren were participating. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. His two most cherished roles were those of being husband to Sandra and being a grandparent.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years Sandra (nee Afrates), daughters Carolyn Clancy (Jim), Joycelyn Kastl, Jacalyn Kastl, and Robyn Kaufman (Jason), son Richard Kastl (Sharon), sister Alice Berger, and grandchildren Cassandra Koberna (Kyle), Kelly Sagerman (Denton), Kevin Clancy, Richie Kastl (Mandi), Brooke Kastl, and Megan, Lindsey, and Bethany Kaufman.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents Emil and Mary Kastl and brother-in-law Glen Berger.

Rich’s family would like to thank the A.L.S. Association Northern Ohio Chapter. The Louis Stokes V.A. Medical Center SCI Department, The Paralyzed Veterans of America, Hospice of the Western Reserve, ABC Home Health Care, and ACC Home Health Care for the wonderful care, kind words, and support that Rich received from his respective care-givers and their teams.

Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the International Pentecostal Church - 2201 Reid Avenue, Lorain. Reverend Joe Carney will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park where military honors will be conducted by Amvets Post # 32 of Elyria.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rich's memory are encouraged to either the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the A.L.S. Association, or the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

To share your memories and condolences with the Kastl Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.