Richard Joseph Shuta, 76, of San Diego, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

His funeral will be held at Miramar National Cemetery at 1:30pm on Monday, January 20, 2020.  A reception will follow at the home of his daughter, Mara Fortin.

Richard was born on February 16, 1943 in Binghamton, New York, to John and Mary Shuta.  He spent idyllic summers as a young boy on the family farm in Pennsylvania. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force where he worked on B52 bombers for nearly four years.  After his discharge, he attended Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA where he met and married Judith Henderson, mother to his four daughters. It was at Ambassador that his love for God and ministry was developed.  With his theology degree in hand, he entered full time ministry and moved frequently as he was called to Pastor different congregations. Each of his four girls, despite being only two years apart in age, were born in different states, from Minnesota to California.  In later years he gave up his full-time ministry, but never stopped serving God as his number one job. His favorite possession was his bible and his favorite activity praying. Anyone who knew Richard would say without doubt, he dedicated his life to the Lord and never wavered for a moment in his heavenly focus.  His work ethic was legendary and unparalleled as he worked tirelessly to support his family. His beliefs could never be compromised and he was a true patriotic American through and through. He passed those qualities on to his four children and seven grandchildren. Richard was truly one of a kind!

He is survived by his daughters: Debbie Shuta, Mara Fortin, Angela Shuta, and Janna Wernli (Robert Wernli, Jr.); by his grandchildren: Bailey Killgore, Kendall Fortin, Joshua Wernli, Karyn Fortin, Erin Wernli, Jaden Killgore and Noah Bell; and by his siblings: Elaine Smith and Nancy Nestrick as well as many more extended family and friends.

May we continue to learn from him and may he rest in peace.