Richard Frank Kahl passed away peacefully in hospice care in Laguna Hills, California, on June 28, 2023. He was a native New Yorker born in Queens, New York, on August 2, 1927, the third child of Mary Kahl (née Robinson) and Frank Kahl. Richard grew up in Springfield Gardens, New York, where he graduated high school. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the Navy to serve his country during World War II as a firefighter and was honorably discharged. He loved photography, so after the war, he bought a Busch Pressman camera to work as a stringer photographer. He spent many nights driving with his brother Joe using the police scanner radio in search of celebrity photo opportunities at famous Manhattan nightclubs like El Morocco, Copacabana, and 21 Club. Their work was featured in prominent newspapers such as the New York Times, New York Daily News, and New York Post.

In 1953, Richard traded the radio and camera for the skies, working for American Airlines in their Manhattan office. He reached new heights when he met the love of his life, Joan Stephens in 1955 at the American Airlines Sales Office. He soon found better opportunity with Swiss Airlines where he would start a lifelong career until he retired. Richard and Joan married in Seagirt, New Jersey, on October 13, 1956 and would go on to have five children: Richard, James, Gregory, Christopher, and Lisa. As his career at Swiss Airlines took off, the family would have many legs on their journey, living in Hazlet NJ, Buffalo NY, Huntington Beach CA, and Geneva IL. After their children had grown, they moved to Cranbury NJ and Richard returned to work once again in Manhattan. His beloved Joan passed away in September 1986. Richard retired from Swiss Airlines the following year. He then moved to Oceanside CA, where he would spend the next 34 years. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and dogs. Richard continued to travel and enjoyed vacations with family in Palm Springs. He remained active throughout his life volunteering at the California Welcome Center in Oceanside for 21 years, helping others on their travels and receiving the Congressional Volunteerism Award in 2021, at age 94. A devout Catholic, he dedicated much of his time serving the Lord and others, notably sourcing and delivering food for those in need through Catholic Charities and San Luis Rey Loretto House Food Pantry.

Richard is survived by his older sister, Kay McHugh; four children: Richard (and wife, Mary), Gregory, Christopher (and wife, Maria), and Lisa (and husband, Benedict); nine grandchildren: Tiffany Lawson, Ryan Kahl, Travis Kahl, Karcyn Kahl, Alyssa Kahl, Eileen Waters, Alexandra Kahl Wilson, Eamon Waters, and Jade Kahl; and five great-grandchildren: Lily Lawson, Kayden Kahl, Wyatt Lawson, Hazel Kahl, and Rohin Kahl. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Joan, son James, and brother Joe.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, July 17, 2023, at Mission San Luis Rey Catholic Church (4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92057), followed by a committal ceremony at Mission San Luis Rey Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to Mission San Luis Rey Social Outreach, Loretto House Food Pantry via sanluisreyparish.org or email: angel@sanluisreyparish.org.