Richard was born in Springfield, Illinois on November 30, 1930 to James and Bessie Fortner, the youngest of 11 children. He was very proud to spend 5 years in the U.S. Army as a Private Second Class with the 31st Infantry Division at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was honorably discharged and moved back to Springfield where he met his future wife of 62 years, Catherine.

For over 30 years, he worked as a Sales Manager and Trainer for the Hubbard Milling Company. Hubbard sent Rich and Cathy to various locations throughout the country to train employees. Rich would joke that the company liked how he could get along with anyone. Their favorite place they lived was Rapid City, South Dakota where they purchased a home right before the historic Black Hills-Rapid City flood of June 1972 and could not access that home for days, but it survived.

Rich had a beautiful baritone voice and was active in barbershop quartets. He loved performing all over the country at shows and competitions for many years.

After retirement, Rich and Cathy moved to Phoenix where Rich became a GED examiner for the Arizona Department of Education and worked mostly with correctional institutions. In 2002, they purchased a home in Prescott, Arizona and lived there until 2025. They loved that house and their neighbors. Rich often said that he lived in many places, but none compared to the great neighbors in Prescott who felt like family. Rich and Cathy were devoted members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and spent countless hours volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul.

Rich was Catherine’s full-time caregiver at home for the last few years of her life; he would not leave her side until she passed away in 2025. Rich enjoyed the last year of his life at Touchmark where he made friends, enjoyed the hilltop view of Prescott out his window, and was very fond of the kind staff.

Richard greatly missed the love of his life Catherine. He is now resting peacefully and reunited with her.