Richard Gularte

May 2, 1942 -

Feb 24, 2024

Richard Anthony Gularte was called home on Feb. 24, 2024. He was 81 years old. Richard was the eldest son of Liza Demientieff, Kuskokwim Yupik from Holy Cross, Alaska, and Tony Gularte, Alaska pioneer from Flat and Iditarod, Alaska. Richard was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on May 2, 1942. In 1957, he moved with his family to Anchorage, Alaska, where he would live for most of his life.

After graduating from Anchorage H.S., he went to Edison Tech in Seattle, Wash., where he learned to bake, a skill that would serve him well. Richard served in the Army for two years and, although assigned as a cook, it was his exceptional baking skills that caught the attention of some high ranking officers.

After his service in the Army, Richard continued his trade as a baker. Some of his coworkers said that you could always tell when Rich was in the kitchen because the donuts were so big, you needed two hands to hold them.

He will be remembered by his family and friends for his sharp and surprising sense of humor, his distinctive laugh and his endless generosity. A jovial guy, and fiercely loyal, Richard nurtured decades-long friendships, stretching back to his time in Fairbanks, and spanning generations, as even his friends' children would call him "Uncle."

Richard is survived by his brother, Jerry; sister, Margie; brother-in-law, Ron; four nieces, Shannon, Lauran, Vanessa and Hillary; nephew, Travis; and four great-nieces and -nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., on March 14, 2024, at Holy Cross Parish, 2627 Lore Road in Anchorage. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.