Richard Ray Stryffeler could always be counted on to make his friends and family smile, to share a confidence or to spend time with his close circle of friends, known as "The Friday Night Riff Raff."

A U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam era, Richard spent almost 32 years working for Marathon Ashland Oil, Canton, Ohio, first as a laborer, then in the laboratory, and finally as an electrician.

A tendency toward seasickness kept him from being a career Navy man.

"He talked about being on the ship during hurricanes," said Virginia (Fox) Stryffeler, his wife of 19 years. "He said you'd take one step on the floor and the next would be on the wall. Anytime he would have midnight watch, he'd take his bucket and go to the back of the ship."

As a civilian, Richard enjoyed spending his free time with family and friends. Whenever his grandchildren came over, he'd get out his collection of more than 20 windup toys.

"He would wind them all up on the counter so they were all going at once," Virginia said.

His other passion involved winding up a good swing and hitting golf balls. The couple's bi-annual golf trips were occasions for Virginia and Richard to spend time alone together on the golf course, and provided for some of his wife's favorite memories.

"I see Richard out in the backyard swinging the golf club," Virginia said. "I just think of him on the golf course."

Richard's friend, Roy Clapper, never played golf with him, but he has many memories of socializing with Richard and the other members of "The Friday Night Riff Raff," an American Legion group that got together every week. Roy, a disc jockey, frequently played Richard's favorite song for him, George Thorogood's "Bad to the Bone."

"He was honest and upfront with you," Roy said. "You didn't have to worry that he was going to pull any punches with you."

Richard also rolled with the punches life gave him. When he was losing his hair due to cancer treatment, Richard shaved his head. Roy jokingly suggested he pierce his ear to round out his new look.

"The next time I saw him he had his ear pierced," Roy said. "He looked good."

Through it all, Richard never failed to take care of his family and friends. His wife said he never missed a day of work in 32 years. He also had a talent for fixing things.

Virgil Ring Jr., a good neighbor and longtime friend of Richard and Virginia, said if there was anything of Richard's he could have it would be his knowledge.

Richard was a member of the First Christian Church of Minerva, Ohio, Sandy Valley Masonic Lodge, VFW Post 4120, Minerva, American Legion Post 548, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2374, Louisville, Ohio.

He died at Mercy Medical Center, Canton, on Thursday, July 13, 2000. He was 53.

"He was always somebody I could talk to," Roy said. "You always knew if you had something to talk about you could talk to him and it wouldn't go any farther. I think that's what I miss most about him."

In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by his mother, Gladys Stryffeler of Minerva; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Dawn Stryffeler of Franklin, Pennsylvania; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Titus Miller of Minerva; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Bonnie Baker of Paris; his brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Joni Stryffeler of Minerva; and his five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father, Robert Stryffeler.