LOVELAND, COLORADO – Richard L. Cathelyn, 80, of Loveland, died Tuesday Sept. 6, 2016, at Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wyoming, after a brief illness.
Mr. Cathelyn is survived by his wife and best friend of more than 60 years, Marilyn Jean (McKenna) Cathelyn; his five children, sons, Richard Cathelyn, Joseph Cathelyn and Christopher Cathelyn; and daughters, Debora Cathelyn Jameson and Teresa Cathelyn Komloski. He also is survived by nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Born and raised in Tampico, Mr. Cathelyn was the son of Leopold and Irma (Gaillaert) Cathelyn. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Cathelyn; and sister, Dorothy Jean Cathelyn Barthelme.
Mr. Cathelyn joined the Marine Corps on Nov. 8, 1953. He was assigned to the Second Battalion 442 Platoon. He served in Korea and was in the drum and bugle corps during his service before retiring in 1956 from Camp Pendleton, California.
After serving with the Marines, he owned and operated his Snap-On Tool truck, distributing to the northern Colorado area. In 1984, he was honored as a top Snap-On Tool distributor and was awarded an all-expense paid trip to the Indianapolis 500. He and his son, Rick, met car-driver, Rick Mears before the race, at which time Mr. Mears told them, “if I get out in front and get clean air, I’ll win the race.” Rick Mears did win the 1984 Indianapolis 500.
Mr. Cathelyn loved to travel and camp. He lived in Kenai, Alaska, for a brief time and camped and drove his recreational vehicle along the Alaska-Canada Highway several times.