Richard Royce Runser

Jul 21, 1940 -

Dec 17, 2024

Richard Royce Runser was born on July 21, 1940, in Tolleson, Ariz. Growing up on a dairy farm in Arizona was a hard existence for the oldest of five children. He learned to work hard very young and did his whole life. He graduated college at 20, and taught for two years in Montana before moving to "The cold and wild north country" of Alaska, at 22, to begin teaching in Delta Junction. Richard married, at 23, and moved his family to Anchorage, Alaska, just months before the 1964 earthquake, where he taught science for 34 years before retiring in 1993.

Richard loved the wild outdoors of Alaska, spending summers camping, logging, doing construction and commercial fishing in Denali, Fairbanks, Nebesna, Coopper River, Kenai and Kiana. After his marriage to Margie Ann (Gilmore) Runser on June 10, 1991, he spent his time enjoying snowmachining and world travel. He rode and worked on the Iditarod Trail as well as to Dawson City, their cabin and over glaciers, exploring all of Alaska that he could see. He also wrote and published a book about snowmachining in Alaska with his wife, Margie.

His fall into a glacier crevasse on his snowmachine in March 1997 changed his life forever as he was left paralyzed from the chest down. This did not stop him! He continued to snowmachine and travel the world. Thanks to his wife, Margie who made sure accommodations were made to get him onto the Great Wall of China and many other amazing places. He very much enjoyed the wonders of the world in so many different countries, it is hard to keep track! He loved spending time with his seven children, 16 grandchildren and 29 great- and great-great-grandkids.

He was always the best teacher in life lessons. He also was dedicated to his church family and many friends. He never quit. To the very end, he tried to live his life to the fullest and share his love of life with those around him.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Ann Runser of Chugiak, Alaska; sister, Betty Gail Irwin of California; daughters, Mary Manners of Anchorage, Gail Taylor of Wasilla, Susan Sauer of Fairbanks, Brenda Davila of Palmer; son, Jack Runser of Dayton, Ohio; other children, Russell Hancock and Cindi Hope; sisters-in-law, Lela Ayers and Pam Gilmore; grandchildren, Ella Marie, Carmen, Danielle and Frederick Updegraff, Marriah, Marshall, Aubrie, Joshua and Issaiah Taylor, Rain and Talon Davila, Ben Hancock, Troy Philips, Maranda Redmond, Jennie Grajewski; and 29 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

It is requested by the family that, in lieu of flowers, any donations go to the United Methodist Church of Chugiak, as Richard was an avid and dedicated member of his church who cared deeply for his Lord and savior.