In Memoriam: Richard Soldoff

Richard Soldoff, 69, a longtime resident of Canyon Lake, passed away April 24, 2016 at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar. He succumbed to complications from a blood infection, eventually leading to cardiac arrest.

Richard was a proud second generation Canyon Lake homeowner. His parents, Henry and Josephine Soldoff, owned the first lots in this community; a fact he held close to his heart. As a carpenter by profession, he loved putting his own sweat and tears into maintaining, updating and fixing the home his parents had lived in since 1971.

A unique man, he always followed his own rules when it came to outward appearance – everyone loved him for that. He got his first tattoo when he was in his fifties, and had six of them a decade later. But behind the tattoos, earrings and tank tops, he was a generous man who loved easily. Richard was a beloved man, always putting family and friends before himself.

He was more than a friend. Richard became like family to almost every person’s life he entered. Joel Karp, a longtime family friend, remembers of Richard, “He was the only man I ever loved. He held an amazing energy that just welcomed you with open arms, put a smile on your face, and made you ready to have some fun.”

Richard is survived by his wife Raquel; three children, Chance, Kurtis and Natalie; two grandchildren, Ashlie and Calvin; two great-grandchildren, Jade and Aria; his brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Sue Soldoff; countless family friends and, of course, his beloved husky Rocco.