Richard K. Noble

 November 12, 1935 – June 17, 2023

Richard Kenline Noble, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, left us on June 17th, 2023, to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born November 12, 1935, in San Diego, California to Richard George Noble and Ruth Kenline Noble. During his growing up years, he lived in several remote locales including Campo, Boron, and Jacumba, CA. He eventually returned to San Diego to graduate from Point Loma High School.

Richard’s desire to become an aerospace engineer led him to Los Angeles where he attended Northrop Institute of Technology. It was during this time that he met Joanne Wade one afternoon while doing trigonometry homework at the beach. Prior to graduation, he got his first job at North American Aviation (later Rockwell International). Richard married Joanne and together they raised two sons. Richard and Joanne were very involved in their childrens’ school and extracurricular activities, particularly in the Long Beach Junior Concert Band (LBJCB). Richard served as an LBJCB board member including a term as board president. Strong friendships with the “kids” in the band have continued through the decades.

Richard’s illustrious career in the aerospace industry included employment at Rockwell International, Lockheed Martin Skunkworks, and Northrop Grumman. He played an integral part in development of the XB-70, B-1B, the Space Shuttle, and other high-value development programs that contributed to strengthening national security and advancing aviation. Following retirement from the aerospace industry after 43 years, Richard moved to Oceanside, CA to be closer to his surviving family in San Diego. He had a second career working part-time at the Gemology Institute of America (GIA).  

In 2020, Richard and Joanne sold their home in Oceanside and moved to Colorado Springs, CO to live near their son Bob and his wife Sharon. They were able to secure a lot that was immediately adjacent to Bob and Sharon in a community called “La Cresta”. Richard and Joanne found a loving church family at Springs First Church of the Nazarene. Richard especially enjoyed the Sunday morning Bible study class (Living Water Study) led by Pastor Mike Higley. He also frequently attended the La Cresta Bible Study on Wednesday mornings.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, and his loving wife of 65 years, Joanne. To cherish his memory, he leaves behind two sons, Richard Lee (Debbie) of Yorktown, Virginia, and Robert James (Sharon) of Colorado Springs along with their respective families consisting of four married grandchildren: Rachel Marie (Dusty), Thomas Robert (Kailee), Richard Sean (Corinne), and Karen Dawn (Michael) as well as eight great-grandchildren: Evan (9 years), Peter, (3 years), Atreyu (3 years), Abigail (18 months), Matthew (16 months), Andrew (11 months), Tommy (8 months), and a great-grandson due in October.

A celebration of Richard’s life will take place at 12:00 pm on Thursday, June 29, at Springs First Church in Colorado Springs with Pastor Mike Higley officiating. Richard’s ashes will be scattered at a later date. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Home Hospice Services for their loving care of Dad in his final months as well as for the prayerful and loving support of his church family, La Cresta neighbors, and friends. Professional services of care have been entrusted to Alternative Cremation, Colorado Springs.