Richard T. Charbonneau

Richard (of Daytona Beach Shores, FL) was born on July 21, 1942 in San Francisco, CA to Jules (Mathews Quero), a newspaper man, and Marcia (Tomczak), a hard working farm girl who built battleships during World War II.

In 1951, after the passing of his father, he moved to Minnesota with his mother and sisters Joan and Julie. His mother met and married Armand Charbonneau, a WWII veteran and a loving, God-fearing man.

Richard developed a mechanical inclination at age 15 that manifested after an oil pump shaft repair on his father’s 1959 Ford General. He graduated from St. Paul Johnson High School in 1960 and went to work on a survey crew for the City of St. Paul.

Richard grinded and meticulously saved to buy his first “street and strip” car, a 405 hp ‘62 Ford Galaxy that became the quickest Ford in the State of Minnesota and collected over 50 wins in the Sunday League of Midwestern Super Stocks. Richard’s NHRA Division 5 Hall of Fame career included 20 NHRA world championship series events, 2 consecutive NHRA world points championships, 12 national class championships, 16 national records, a 1970 Winternationals Stock Eliminator championship, and 3 NHRA division 5 points championships. In 1970 Richard was named to the Car Craft Magazine All-Star Drag Team. Richard’s wheel standing psychedelically painted ’67 Ford Fairlane station wagon, known as “Trip-1,” was an icon at the track and, with Richard, left a legacy on the sport of drag racing.

In 1975 Richard married Elizabeth Carlson and they began a life of hard work and adventure. In 1977, Richard re-entered the world of racing, however this time as the mechanical engineer and engine builder for the Advance United Hydroplane Boat Racing team where he won more championships and continued to set speed records while also running his own car repair and engine building shop on the East Side of St. Paul.

Richard and Liz celebrated the births of their children Jenelle ('80) and Matt ('83). In 1983 they turned their professional energy towards hockey, working together at Strauss Skates & Bicycles. He took pride in knowing he left his family business in the hands of his wife and future generations.

Throughout the years, Richard took tremendous joy in road-tripping with his family, four-wheeling with his wife Liz, and searching for out of the way historical locations to explore with his children and grandchildren. He continuously imparted his knowledge to his children and grandchildren with the goal of empowering them to be successful in their lives. Richard was known to give 110% to any task he took on and to lead others around him to do the same. He leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations through his passion, sportsmanship, and the thrill he brought to everything he did.

In his final year, Richard wanted everyone to know that life goes by fast, to enjoy it, and to make the most of every day while you can.

Richard will be dearly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and friends.

Visitation 4:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesday, January 16 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home (Roseville), 2130 N. Dale St. at County Rd. B.

Visitation 10:00 - 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 17 at The Church of St. Odilia, 3495 N. Victoria St., Shoreview followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.

A luncheon will follow at St. Odilia.

Private entombment Roselawn Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to Make-A-Wish.