Richard Desautels December 16, 1941 - December 31, 2023

With heavy hearts, the family of Richard Desautels announces his passing on New Year’s Eve at the age of 82, after a courageous battle with cancer. He passed peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Richard was born on December 16, 1941, in Ste. Anne, MB the seventh of 12 children to Frank and Betty Desautels. When he was a young boy, the family moved to Dryden to settle on the family farm across the railroad tracks on Sandy Beach Road. Farm life was busy, but the Desautels boys always found time for a good game of baseball, and only they would have enough members to start their own team called the “Royals”. Many great games, great times and great friends were made during these years. Richard was known and received an award as “homerun hitter”. When he stepped up to the plate, and swung that bat he sent that ball sailing; each and every time.

Richard joined the workforce at a young age to help with the financial cost of maintaining a large family. He was proud to be able to contribute to his family’s needs. Those tougher times made him appreciate family and that’s how he developed his heart of gold.

In June 1965, Richard married a young German gal, Inge Drechsler, the pretty waitress that caught his eye. Together they had two children, a son Gregory 1966 and daughter Charmaine in 1968. The years that followed were busy, and were spent working and providing for his own family.

Richard was a hardworking man, with the rugged hands that proved it. He started in “the bush” at the bottom job, working a power saw. Eventually he became a delimber operator. He retired at the age of 64.

Richard had many hobbies. He enjoyed fishing, camping and weekends spent catching up with his siblings at “the farm”. There was always camaraderie between himself and his brothers and sisters, with many laughs along the way. In his later years Richard exercised like no other. His walks around town would have his family wondering where he ended up or who he was chit-chatting with enroute.

Richard was an expert gardener. His tomatoes and cucumbers were grown in abundance, thanks to his efforts in perfecting the soil they grew in. He followed the book about gardening by Gerry Baker, and was determined to beat him at his own game, and in our opinion, Dad, you did.

Richard had uniquely interesting culinary skills. You could find him on the back deck experimenting with his smoker or making a fine wine or dandelion tea. Only the brave would sample his concoctions.

Dad’s greatest gifts were his four grandsons. He lived for them and fought his cancer battle in order to have more time with them. He wanted more time to cook for them and fill their bellies, more time to fish with them and to laugh and joke together.

Richard will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years Inge, their two children Gregory (Kristine) and daughter Charmaine (Brent) Jensson, 4 grandsons, Kyson (Courtney) Jensson, Matthew (Mackenzie) Desautels, Kasey Jensson and Ryley Desautels. He will also be missed by his siblings, Patsy Rathwell, Gerry, Norman, Linda Scott, and Marcel and numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families.

Richard is pre-deceased by his parents, his siblings; Roger, Frances, Donald, Corise, Eugene and Brian. We are confident that he was also welcomed by his canine companions, Bimbo, Kayleigh, and Twister.

Richard’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude for the care he received from Dr. Kehler, Dr. Barrie, the Oncology Unit Nurses, and the DRHC Nurses and Staff as well as Laine, Melissa, and Lindsay from Paramed.