- Date Of Birth: June 29, 1951
- Date Of Death: December 16, 2022
- State: Minnesota
In 1976, he met Cathy Carr, a regular customer at the gas station located in her neighborhood, and they married on June 23, 1979. Back then, Rich’s mode of transportation was his motorcycle. Rich and Cathy would “joy ride” around town, however, Cathy’s mom was not too happy about that. In 1984, wanting to escape the “hustle and bustle” of city life, Rich, Cathy and their dog, Maggie, made the long and arduous move to Roseau in an old converted beverage truck to where her brother, Bob Carr and sister-in-law, Jan, lived. Rich started working at Messelt Ford and continued his automotive education. Rich and Cathy were blessed with the arrival of their adopted son, Matthew, in 1993. Matthew was the center of Rich and Cathy’s world and Rich loved being Matthew’s dad, playing together and going places together. Boxes and boxes of photographs document the fun times shared by father and son. One highlight Matthew remembers are the hayrides his dad planned for several of his birthdays. Such anticipation of having a fun time with a truckload of friends.
Rich, alongside his good friend and neighbor Kim Sjaaheim, raised beef cattle for several years. However, Cathy did not seem to think the business was quite worth it when the cattle broke out and they had to chase after and corral them. Thankfully, Kim had seven children to help when Rich would call and sound the alarm that they were loose once again.
In the historic flood of 2002, the Coffman home became an island for more than five weeks, surrounded by sandbag dikes placed by caring friends, community members and the National Guard. Rich and Cathy would take shifts sleeping to monitor the five sump pumps and make sure they were free from debris and operating properly 24/7. Canoeing was the only way in and out. If not for Ed and Jane Gracza’s canoe and Rich’s dedication to saving his home, the flood waters would have overtaken it. In 2003, he went to work at C&M Ford in Hallock for two years. Wanting to work closer to home, he began work as a welder at Polaris, and retired eight years later.
Rich enjoyed the companionship of many dogs over the years, but his favorite was a beautiful black dog, named, Stretch, who passed away several years ago. He enjoyed riding his bicycle, working outside, mowing the lawn (although if questioned, he might deny it), working the soil with his tractor, chopping wood, and growing assorted fruits and vegetables to sell.
Rich was a member of First Baptist Church of Roseau, where he held positions of deacon, treasurer, AWANA leader and helped with the Blessings x 2 Ministry.
Rich is survived by his wife of 43 years, Cathy Coffman, son Matthew Coffman; mother-in-law, Cathy (Carr) Watson of Yountville, CA; sister-in-law, Jan (Ross) Carr-Herseth of Roseau, MN; nephews: Ken (Lisa) Carr Jr., Robert (Jami) Carr and Sam (Ashley) Carr; nieces, Jen (Mitch) Carr and Lisa Carr; great-niece: Audrey Carr: great nephews: Ayden Munoz, Preston Nowack, Leyton Nowack, Silas Nowack, Braxton Carr, Briggs Carr and Harlow Carr.
Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Ansil and Dorothy Coffman, and sister, Glena Zayas; fathers-in-law: Robert Carr Sr. and Richard Watson; brothers-in-law: Bob Carr Jr. and Kenneth Carr Sr.
