Born on June 3, 1949, he was the son of Albert and Rose Anger, and brother to Madeline Wilson, of the Bronx, NY.
At an early age, he discovered a passion for building car engines from his father, a skilled mechanic and WWII veteran. They’d spend time together on the water—boating, fishing, and clamming.
Growing up, he spent a lot of time working at the boat yards on City Island. When he wasn’t on the water, he was singing and playing guitar in his band, the Thanes. He was also boxing like a badass, hanging with his friends, and drinking in the bars.
He enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 19 and was deployed to Vietnam. During his service, he was promoted to Sergeant and was awarded the Air force Commendation medal for his meritorious service as a Crew Chief, 352nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, from June 5, 1970 to June 5, 1971.
Immediately after returning from Vietnam, he met the love of his life, Diane Merchant, his wife of 44 years. Their adventures took them traveling in a VW bus across the country. They married on March 30, 1974, in Queens, NY. Some of the best years of their lives were spent ski bumming in Snowbird, and owning and running a ski lodge called Interlaken Lodge, in Lake Placid, NY. They lived everywhere: Salt Lake City, Utah; Lake Placid, NY; Shelton, CT; and finally in Stamford, CT, in their beautiful home that he built from the ground up.
Rich and Diane had their first born, daughter Holly Diane Anger on November 30, 1979. Their son Christopher Richard Anger was born January 21, 1984.
Rich had a very long career, more than thirty years, in corporate aviation at Westchester County Airport. A large part of Rich’s recent years were spent as the Captain of his Sealine Yacht, “Serafin” with his First Mate, Jeff.
He was a devoted husband, loving father, veteran, boat captain, ski bum, craftsman, mechanic, flight technician, guitarist, singer, tambourine player, certified scuba diver, builder, architect, party animal, ice skater, rollerblader.. and so much more.
His family called him several things, but among their favorites were “Mister-fix-it,” “Big Daddy,” and “Superman.” He was one of the strongest, most confident, most productive, and most resilient people you could ever meet.
Richard passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2018. He will be remembered forever by his wife, Diane Anger; his daughter, Holly Anger; his son, Christopher Anger; his daughter-in-law, Paula Anger; his son-in-law, Jeff Schram; and his grand-pup, Lucky, as well as many friends and a large family.
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