Obituary for Richard Calvin Gougler Jr.
Rick died on September 6th, 2021. He had suffered from long term Covid-19 after-effects for nearly a year and a half. His passing was sudden but peaceful. He was known to his friends as an honest man of integrity.
Rick grew up in Kutztown, PA. He was a happy child who like make others laugh. In high school, he began to develop the creative side of his personality. He played drums in the school band and in a rock band called The Royal Cavaliers (several videos can be found on YouTube). He co-founded the Magic Theater company. Their first and most magical production was “A Midsummer Night's Dream”. Although he started out as an engineering major at Penn State, he quickly realized his love for the theater. He graduated with a degree in Theater Arts with an emphasis on film. After college, he made short films, became a video colorist, and helped produce the movie, “Woodshop”. Marty Stouffer relied on Rick’s colorist expertise during post- production for the “Marty Stouffer’s Wild America” series.
Rick’s love of nature informed both his work and life decisions. He fell in love with Colorado during a family summer vacation and eventually moved to Denver. He bought a home in the Rocky Mountain foothills in the early 1990s. His new location gave him greater opportunities to hike, tend a garden, feed birds, and observe wildlife.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents Richard Gougler, Sr. and Audrey Maurer Gougler. He is survived by his sister Judy Gougler Schmalstig (married to Dennis Schmalstig), nephew Alan Schmalstig (married to Amy Carlie), niece Annie Schmalstig (married to Bryant Scott), and grandniece Ava (Annie and Bryant’s daughter).
No formal funeral is planned. We invite family and friends to share memories of Rick on this page. Though we are saddened by the sudden and unexpected loss of our dear brother and friend, our hope that is that we can celebrate and appreciate his life.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Rick's name to The Nature Conservancy or a charity of your choice.
Rick grew up in Kutztown, PA. He was a happy child who like make others laugh. In high school, he began to develop the creative side of his personality. He played drums in the school band and in a rock band called The Royal Cavaliers (several videos can be found on YouTube). He co-founded the Magic Theater company. Their first and most magical production was “A Midsummer Night's Dream”. Although he started out as an engineering major at Penn State, he quickly realized his love for the theater. He graduated with a degree in Theater Arts with an emphasis on film. After college, he made short films, became a video colorist, and helped produce the movie, “Woodshop”. Marty Stouffer relied on Rick’s colorist expertise during post- production for the “Marty Stouffer’s Wild America” series.
Rick’s love of nature informed both his work and life decisions. He fell in love with Colorado during a family summer vacation and eventually moved to Denver. He bought a home in the Rocky Mountain foothills in the early 1990s. His new location gave him greater opportunities to hike, tend a garden, feed birds, and observe wildlife.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents Richard Gougler, Sr. and Audrey Maurer Gougler. He is survived by his sister Judy Gougler Schmalstig (married to Dennis Schmalstig), nephew Alan Schmalstig (married to Amy Carlie), niece Annie Schmalstig (married to Bryant Scott), and grandniece Ava (Annie and Bryant’s daughter).
No formal funeral is planned. We invite family and friends to share memories of Rick on this page. Though we are saddened by the sudden and unexpected loss of our dear brother and friend, our hope that is that we can celebrate and appreciate his life.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Rick's name to The Nature Conservancy or a charity of your choice.