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<p><em>Richard James “Rich” Cashman</em>, the sixth of 10 children, was born on April 18, 1956 to Robert and Madonna Cashman in Owatonna, MN.</p>
<p>Rich’s twin brother, Bob, recalls their father teaching them at a young age with erector sets and LEGOs, as well as staging races with electric slot cars. Their mother, Madonna, supervised homework at the kitchen table after school asking what they had learned each day. A lifelong musician, Rich participated in high school band and choir and was especially proud to have been an Owatonna High School caroler. Rich was a National Honor Society member and graduated as salutatorian of his class in 1974.</p>
<p>Rich was nominated by Congressman Albert Quie to attend USMA. He was a member of companies C-4 and F-1 and concentrated in civil engineering for his academic studies.</p>
<p>Tim McKaig recalled Rich as the ideal roommate: “Rich was a ‘Star Man,’ and he earned those stars. He was a great example to me with his disciplined study habits. My highest GPA in eight semesters at West Point was that semester.”</p>
<p>Dave Elliott recalls Rich fondly during Cadet Troop Leader Training when they were both stationed in Darmstadt “honing our engineer platoon leadership skills and advanced Russian in language class in Garmisch…The two of us embarked on a 14-day tour of the European capitals on a Eurail pass. It was a blast! The highlight was $1 tickets to a live matinee performance of ‘A Chorus Line’ at a London theater. Great times. I cherish those memories.”</p>
<p>Dave Fitzpatrick, Rich’s last roommate at West Point, recalls: “Rich was a proud Minnesotan who spoke frequently of his love of his hometown, Owatonna (I’d always get a rise out of him by asking if he knew Radar O’Reilly. He’d squint at me and reply ‘He’s from Ottumwa, IA’). That Rich was a Star man was his least important facet. He was a member of the Cadet Catholic Choir into which he threw his heart and soul. Rich’s innate intellectual curiosity led him in interesting directions as he prepared for a career in engineering yet took electives in philosophy and history of religions, leading to interesting discussions late at night. We both battled with the Department of Physical Education and helped one another in those struggles. His support sustained me.”</p>
<p>A distinguished graduate, Rich chose the Corps of Engineers as his branch and Darmstadt as his post to serve with the 94th Engineer Battalion until 1981. He attended EOAC in 1982, joined the faculty there until 1984, and then resigned his commission in 1985.</p>
<p>Rich worked for the Rouse Company as a project manager (1985-88) and later Linden Construction (1988-91) while earning his MBA from Loyola University in 1990.</p>
<p>Rich married his love, his precious Barbie, on May 23, 1987. Siblings had many visits with Rich and Barb in Ellicott City, MD and in Owatonna. Dave Fitzpatrick recalls that “once after graduation Rich and Barb stayed with us in our quarters at West Point for our 10-year reunion. A joy to meet Barb—their love for each other was apparent.” On September 30, 1992, Bob received the fateful call from Rich. Barb was in critical condition. Bob got a flight to Maryland that day with other siblings following within hours. Barb passed away that evening. Rich’s life crashed around him as he searched for answers about Barb’s death. Over the next few years Rich bounced back finding comfort reading his Bible daily.</p>
<p>Rich joined Williamson Group as a project manager (1996-98) after self-employment (1992-95). He worked at the Gilford Group (1998–2006) and joined Turner Construction as a senior project manager in 2006. His work included projects at the White House, Pentagon, Washington Monument, Dulles and Reagan airports, and a border patrol station in El Paso, TX, where he loved that on the list of supply requisitions was included flak jackets. Rich was highly regarded as a mentor and gentleman for his generosity and his ever kind heart.</p>
<p>On December 5, 2012, Rich married his new love Jacqueline from the Philippines. Rich’s retirement dream was to split time living in the Philippines and in Maryland.</p>
<p>Rich loved to travel. Italy and his ancestral Ireland were most special. In Italy, Rich loved many places, but Rome and the Vatican stood out. Proud of his Irish roots, he traveled to Ireland three times, twice with twin brother Bob and once with sisters Nora and Lisa in June 2018—the last time his siblings saw Rich.</p>
<p>Rich was looking forward to the next Cashman reunion where he would sing with his sister Lisa and niece Brooke. They enjoyed singing on happy occasions but also sang at the funerals for his parents, sister Madie, and special little brother Patrick.</p>
<p>Rich died unexpectedly on January 4, 2020 at his home in Ellicott City, MD. After his funeral mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Rich was buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna.</p>
<p>His brother Bob wrote: “As in our Irish tradition, Slainte Rich. A piece of me, a piece of us is now gone, for the time being. For we know Rich is singing in the choir of Angels. And, until we meet again brother, may God hold you in the Palm of His Hand.”</p>
<p><em>— Mike Tobin, the Cashman Family and classmates</em></p>
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