Richard (Rich) Knight Stofer Ii

Richard Knight Stofer II was born on September 16, 1948, in Akron, Ohio to parents Richard Knight Stofer I and Doris Lind Stofer (whom he comedically nicknamed “Grandma Doorless”).

Rich, as he was commonly known to his family and friends, was the oldest of 4 brothers. He was also known to his wife Gail as “Pie” (short for “Sweetie Pie”), to his Grandchildren as “Pie Pie”, to his immediate family as “Taco Man”, to his Air Force squadron as “Turnip”, and to his AA flight crew as “Big Daddy”.

Rich passed away peacefully at his home in Frisco, Texas, with his family by his side on February 7th, 2024, after a 2-year battle with prostate cancer. He fought hard and remained strong throughout his entire treatment process.

Rich grew up in the Preston Hollow area of Dallas, Texas, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1966. He grew up attending Lutheran Church with his family. The four Stofer boys enjoyed countless shenanigans throughout their childhood, including the time when he put his younger brother John in the trash can with the lid on when their mom came searching for him. When Rich and John were young, their nicknames were ‘Dickie & Jackie’. Rich & John talked almost daily on the telephone for decades and always referred to one another as ‘Captain Dickie’ and ‘Captain Jackie’.

From an early age, Rich knew he wanted to fly airplanes, so he saved every dollar for flying lessons, working at Jack-in-the-Box, and other odd jobs. In high school circa ‘64/’65, Rich and a friend flew a small airplane up to St. Louis to see the Beatles in Concert and paid $5/ticket. He would later joke with his brother Jimmy who had gone to see Paul McCartney in Concert, that he (Rich) got to see McCartney perform “when he was with those other 3 guys.”

Rich graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, in 1971 with a degree in Psychology. During college, he flew for the Forest Service and also flew Parachute Jumpers on weekends. After college, he was an Air Force Pilot for 5 years and served at the end of the Vietnam War. In the Air Force, Rich flew C-141, T-38, and T-37 airplanes.

Rich was married to his first wife Stacy from 1971 to 1981 and they had a daughter Gretchen in Big Spring, Texas while Rich was still in the Air Force (stationed at Webb Air Force Base).  They lived in New Jersey and Texas. During this period, Richard started flying for American Airlines in 1976 and retired in 2008 as a Senior Captain after 32 years of employment. He flew various types of airplanes at AA, including 777, 737, & 727, both domestically and internationally.

Rich married Gail Stofer in 1983 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and had a son Max, and a daughter Meg. They lived in Carrollton, McKinney, and most recently, for the past 4 years in Frisco, Texas. Rich and Gail celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in May 2023.

Throughout his life, Rich enjoyed working on and maintaining cars, skiing, auto-racing, duck hunting with his friend Eddie, shooting guns, and astronomy. He loved riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, hosting Taco Night for this family, watching Sci-Fi movies, and going to concerts. He was quite a sports car buff, owning several throughout the years. He enjoyed traveling all over the world, and especially scuba diving in sunny Caribbean locations like Grand Cayman. He was incredibly gifted as an artist, showcasing his talent in painting and Calligraphy. He loved to wear funny t-shirts and had a great sense of humor. When it came to his kids and grandkids, Rich enjoyed dressing up like the Easter Bunny for family Easter Egg Hunts, carving pumpkins at Halloween, and “posting” little ones on the wall to hear them giggle with delight. Rich enjoyed going out to eat with his friends and family and especially loved Tex-Mex & margaritas and pizza & red wine.

Rich was loved by all who knew him and was a very laid-back, sweet, and caring person. He was also incredibly intelligent, practical, funny, and quick-witted.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White Prosper, Texas Oncology, and Pathway Hospice for their continued care of Rich throughout his illness.

“How lucky I am, to have had someone that makes saying goodbye so hard.” ~Winnie the Pooh

“On angel’s wings, you were taken, but in our hearts, you’ll stay. In God’s light, you will find joy, ‘til we all meet again someday.” ~Author Unknown (Heaven’s Embrace)

“Let a smile come to your lips before a tear comes from your eye.” ~Author Unknown

Rich is survived by wife Gail Stofer of Frisco, Texas; children Gretchen Darby and her husband James of Prosper, Texas,  Max Stofer and Jenn Wehba of Dallas, Texas, Meg Stofer and Trevor Trpkosh of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren Presley and twins Jagger & Jax Darby of Prosper, Texas; his 98-year-old Mother Doris Stofer of Frisco, Texas, brothers John Stofer and his fiancée Helie Buck of Houston, Texas,  Mike Stofer and his wife Deedra of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Jim Stofer and his wife Andrea of Dallas, Texas; nieces and nephews Nicole and John Michael, Alex, Keely Kristin and Paul Stofer.  He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Knight Stofer I, who passed away in 1994.

Rich will be laid to rest with military honors by members of the United States Air Force at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2024, and officiated by Pastor Robert Matthews.

A celebration of Rich’s life will be hosted by the family in Frisco at 3:00 p.m., following the military service.

Twelve Cowboys Way
12 Cowboys Way
The Star Terrace, 6th Floor
Frisco, Texas 75034
(Located at The Star in Frisco at the SE Corner or Cowboys Way and Gaylord)

Please RSVP to Gretchen (Stofer) Darby via text (214-707-8217) or email ( [email protected] ) for either/both events by Friday 3/22.

If desired, contributions may be made in Rich’s honor to the charitable organization of your choice.