Rich Thune

Rich was born in Murdo, S.D. on January 3, 1949 to Harold and Pat Thune. He was the youngest of three, joining his older brother Bob and older sister Karen. His brother John was born twelve years later, and Tim three years after that.

Rich played basketball, football, and ran track in high school, and was twice selected to the All-State Basketball Team. He also played the tuba and was his class valedictorian.

After graduating from high school, Rich traveled to southern California to attend college at Biola University. He played on the varsity basketball team for three years and was the co-captain of the team his senior year.

A friend introduced Rich to Karen on a blind date, and they married in 1972. Together they raised their children Michael, Mindy, and Michelle in Rowland Heights, Calif.

Rich served as an administrator in alumni and church relations for Biola while earning his Master of Divinity degree from Talbot Seminary in 1980. Rich spent the majority of his career, nearly 30 years, as a high school English teacher at Rowland High School where he served as a Mentor Teacher, club advisor, sports and graduation announcer, and was selected as the Teacher of the Year in 1998. Due to his speaking roles, he was affectionately known as “The Voice of the Raiders.”

Rich enjoyed being an active contributor to the life and ministry of Walnut Valley Baptist Fellowship which later became Chino Valley Community Church. He enjoyed speaking, teaching, Bible studies, church camping circles, softball leagues, and serving in leadership roles through the church board and Sunday School classes.

Rich loved taking his family back to South Dakota in the summers, driving his 1966 Mustang, watching Braves baseball, and the color blue. He relished a good gospel quartet, oldies music, playing the organ, making connections with people and demonstrating care in the details of their lives and difficult moments. He never turned down a donut, cup of coffee, or bowl of ice cream. He is preceded in death by his wife Karen on September 20th, 2024, and is survived by his three children and four grandchildren.