It is safe to say that Richard Salazar, Jr. enjoys having a good time. While he’s proud of his service in the Army as a master mechanic and welder, Richard is most grateful that he got to travel the world. “I liked to have fun,” he says coyly. He recalls moonlit nights with raven-haired beauties. And dancing to the quick tempo of accordion music. Were these belly dancers, we ask? “Oh no,” he answers. “The belly dancers were in Morocco.”  He reminisces about his favorite jaunts: visiting the ruins of Pompei, road-tripping through Paris, Rome, and the Spanish mountains of Zaragosa; Dancing to the Beatles in basement dance-halls across Germany. And, Oktoberfest in Munich.  

But life wasn’t always kind. After a few marriages and a long career as a contractor, an accident forced Richard to retire early. He is supremely grateful to his daughter for helping him enroll in affordable housing at Lakeside—a housing complex for persons who are age 62+ or are living with a disability. He’s called it home for nearly 18 years. Nestled alongside Waller Creek downtown, it boasts a private walking trail and beautiful views of the Colorado.  

At age 80, Richard still keeps an active social calendar. “I like to keep busy, and I’ve still got a sharp mind. So better use it or lose it.”  Richard served as Vice President of the Resident’s Council, and for nearly a decade has served on the board. Richard is King of the Community Room where he coordinates and participates in an eclectic mix of activities like Bingo and Bible Study for fellow residents. He brews the community coffee in the mornings and appreciates neighbors being supportive and looking out for each other.  

Richard’s face lights up as a small crowd of well-wishers –mostly ladies–surrounds him. He later reflects, “Life is too short to be a sour puss. Go live a merry life.”  

Good advice Richard. We’ll take it.