of Little Rock, AR

March 20, 1946 - August 17, 2024

Richard L. Cottle, age 78, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Baptist Health Center. Richard was born March 20, 1946 to Richard P. and Sarah Mae (Tinsley) Cottle in St. Louis, MO.

He attended Missouri University of Science & Technology where he studied Mechanical Engineering. Veteran of the US Air Force. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Hutcherson on June 18, 1966 in St. Louis, MO. Rich worked for 30 years at IBM first in St. Louis and later in Raleigh, NC. He retired from IBM in 1996.

He always threw himself into everything that he did: serving as president of SERTOMA (a men's service club), serving as president of a couple of computer groups over the years, coaching kids in Track & Field, judging at diving meets, judging in the Special Olympics in Nebraska in the late 80s. In the late 80s, he became involved with several community theaters in Raleigh. He loved doing most anything: building sets, painting, being on the running crew, helping with props, working the lightboard, the spotlights, working as stage manager or assistant to the director, and even appearing onstage in a couple of productions. But Rich found his real passion in designing lights. Throughout all those years, Rich was an active part of his church where he sang in the choir, served on numerous committees, taught Sunday School, went with a group of men to Barcelona on a mission trip to help build a church, and generally helped out wherever he was needed. He even donned a special suit to appear as his alter ego to visit with children each year as Santa. He and Cheryl were members of North Raleigh United Methodist Church for 20 years. Rich and Cheryl moved to the Little Rock area in March 2020 to be closer to family.

Rich is survived by his wife, Cheryl; beloved son Brian and his wife Susan; grandson Ash (Caitlin); "bonus" granddaughters Sarah Phillips (Nick) of OK and Kathryn Burrow (Ben); and three "bonus" grands: Landon and Mackenzie of OK and Jaxon of Little Rock; sister Pat of Park Hills, MO; nieces, nephews, and cousins scattered around MO. Richard was predeceased by his parents and his sister Donna.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212 or to the Alzheimers Association nearest you.

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