Richard graduated from Granger High School in 1954, and married Elizabeth Michalek, his high school sweetheart July 13, 1955, in Granger. Shortly thereafter, he began his military career in the United States Air Force in July 1955. He began working on airplanes and advanced to an electrical technician working in the Titan Missile program. His enlistment took him to California, Alaska, Washington, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and back to California.

Upon his retirement in 1975, he moved his family to Rosenberg, where he began his second career as an automotive technician. Before his second retirement, he opened his own shop in Stafford, D&B Auto Repair.

He was very proud of his Czech heritage and passed it on to his children and grandchildren.

You could find Richard in his garage working on cars, computers and televisions. Anything that was broken, he was determined to fix.

You could also find him and Elizabeth at Czech dances all over South Texas. In 2000, they won first place to become King and Queen of the Ennis National Polka Festival, a title that he was immensely proud of.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother- in law, Frank and Annie Michalek; son, Bryan Kaderka; sonsin- law, Rick Hanson and Darrell Saha; and his brother, Darvin Kaderka.

Richard is survived by his wife of 68 years, and daughters, Debra Kaderka and her husband Cary Cornelius, Patricia Hanson and Denise Saha and her husband Fernando Flores. He is also survived by his grandsons, Chad Hanson and wife Kristen, Jason Hanson and Aaron Wehmeyer and wife Aleigh; great-grandchildren, Skylar Hanson, Ford Wehmeyer, and Harper Wehmeyer; and his brother, Emil Kaderka.

Visitation will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, at Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Chapel, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd. in Rosenberg. Services will immediately follow at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in LaGrange, TX (www.czechtexas.org).

Tributes and words of condolence may be left for the family at davisgreenlawnfh. com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd.