Richard Arnold Eissinger was born in October 18, 1942 in Long Beach, California, to Arnold Henry Eissinger and Hazel Frances Croy Eissinger.
The family of three then lived in Reno, Nevada, while father Arnold worked at the military base there.
After Richard’s sister Susan was born in 1946, then brother William was born in 1947, the family of five moved to Fresno, California where his father Arnold worked as a California Highway Patrol officer.
His father’s promotions in the CHP brought the family to Visalia in 1953, then Paso Robles in 1958.
Richard attended one year of high school in Visalia, then the last three years of high school in Paso Robles. While at Paso Robles, Richard played varsity football and was the Student Body President in his senior year, 1960. Richard was highly respected by all who knew him.
In 1961, Richard met his first wife, Sandi Steurnagel of Coalinga, California. They had three children, Krista, Erik, and Andy.
Richard earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and worked in that field for a few years at Moss Landing, California. Then he worked in the mushroom farm business as a biologist for several years.
Richard later married Kathy Craig-Eissinger in 1993. He then began a career as a professor of Library Science at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. Richard retired from that position as a tenured professor in 2015.
Richard passed away at his home in Cedar City on October 16, 2025, from a heart attack, two days before his 83rd birthday. His parents and brother William had preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister Susan Eissinger of Corning, California.
Richard leaves behind his daughter Krista Eissinger, sons Erik Eissinger and Andy Eissinger, six grandchildren and one great grandchild.