Richard Alan Optican Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Richard Alan Optican (Saint Joseph, Missouri), who passed away on November 9, 2023, at the age of 90, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Richard Alan Optican to show support.
He was predeceased by: his parents, Joseph Optican and Lillian Rosenthal Optican; his wife Sarilee; and also, Marye and Louis Herman.
He is survived by: his cousins, Gary, Robert, Jamie Rosenthal, Don Kaufman, Elaine Kaufman Kranitz and Harriet Rosenthal Gross; his children, Julie Optican Mathes (Steve) of St Louis, Joan Optican Herman (Tommy Sight) of Prairie Village, KS and Rob Optican (Luann) of Durham, NC; his grandchildren, Andy Mathes of Atlanta, Joe Mathes (Kaitlin) of St Louis, Kelsey Herman of Portland, OR, Brian Herman (Jessica) of Leawood, KS, Kaley Herman of Denver, Grant Optican of Denver and Grace Optican of Prairie Village, KS; his great grandchildren, Catherine, Julia Mathes of St Louis, Mason and Charlie Herman of Leawood, KS; his brother Ed; his sister-in-law Marsha Herman of Overland Park, KS; his niece Cindy Sugar of Houston, TX; his nephews, Gregg Herman of Westwood Hills, KS and Jeff Herman of Overland Park, KS.; and his caregivers, Yirgalem Yemer, Solomon Abiel, Bereket "Beki" Nune and Firealem "Faith" Demissie.
Instead of sending flowers, the family kindly asks that contributions be directed to one of the charitable organizations close to Richard's heart, such as the Sarilee Herman Optican Memorial Scholarship Fund within the St. Joseph School District Foundation, a cause he passionately supported during his lifetime.
