Richard Charles Kaster

Richard Charles Kaster, 77, died peacefully on October 11, 2026 in the presence of his daughter and just after a last rally for visits from family at CentraCare Hospital in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where he was undergoing treatment for congestive heart failure.

Dick was born on July 23, 1949, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Mary (Kell) Kaster and grew up in Bloomington. His family moved to Texas where he went to high school in Irving, but he was a Minnesotan and returned to the land of lakes. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1971, where he met Kathleen Watson. They married on June 3, 1972, and raised their children, Steven and Kristin, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. They moved to Morris, MN, five years ago to enjoy a smaller town life and be closer to Kristin, and were so thankful that Steven followed the next year. Dick enjoyed being in close proximity to both of his children and all three of his grandchildren. Family gatherings and visits of any size or length brought him a lot of joy.

He was a pretty laid back guy who loved fishing with his son and father-in-law, occasionally crossing the northern border to Canada for special trips, and frequently joining his father-in-law and their fishing friends at the “bog haven” in Wisconsin on the Yellow River. He and his wife were always supportive of their children, volunteering in many capacities including chaperoning and chauffeuring for events all over Minnesota throughout their children’s teenage years. He was an excellent photographer, and he could often be seen in the audience at his daughter’s dance recitals or his son’s scouting events taking photos; capturing so many memories was a gift. He enjoyed games, especially cribbage, which is a love he shared with his children.

He spent several years as a salesman at Sears. As computers became more integral to doing business, Sears opened a business systems center in Minneapolis, and he transitioned to selling computers. Eventually, he found his calling supporting computer users and troubleshooting technical problems, which is how he spent the remainder of his career at Sears and, later, MLT Vacations. Both of his children have carried on his interest in computing and passion for problem solving in their own careers.

Dick was a tinkerer and creator. He enjoyed planning potential projects. He was raised in a family of folks who like to create things with a father who loved woodworking and a mother who made beautiful, award winning fiber art. He found a nice blend of art and craft in carving wood, but also built a few pieces of furniture. He admired creativity in others, especially his siblings and parents, and was modest about his own creativity. Dick was a do-it-yourself weekend warrior, tackling all kinds of projects with and for his family. He had quite a tool collection, and he often was able to find exactly what was needed in his shop; this gift for having “just the thing” was supported by his tendency to save all kinds of odds and ends that would probably be useful someday.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; son, Steven (Amanda) Kaster; daughter, Kristin (Jeffery) Lamberty; grandchildren, Maura Lamberty, Wren Lamberty, and Jacob Kaster; siblings Nancy (Gordon Medaris) Korda, James (Donna) Kaster, Lawrence (Martha Wright) Kaster, Michael (Jeanne) Kaster, and Elizabeth (John) Hamaker; extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers (which always made his eyes itch), please consider memorial donations to the University of Minnesota Morris Promise of UMM scholarship fund, Friends of the Morris Public Library, CentraCare Gorecki Guest House, or a charity of your choice.

At this time there are no services planned.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Richard.