Richard Carroll Fidler

Richard Carroll Fidler, U.S. Army (Ret.), age 82, of Warner Robins, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Richard, a Montgomery, AL, native, was born on January 13, 1944, at St. Margaret’s Hospital to Albert A. Fidler and Addie Laurie Hubbard Fidler.

Richard grew up on Forest Avenue in Montgomery, Alabama, where he attended St. Mary of Loretta Catholic School, served as an altar boy at St. Peter's Catholic Church, and proudly participated in the School Safety Patrol. He later attended Bellingrath Junior High and Sidney Lanier High School before graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in 1961.

One of Richard's earliest talents was dancing. Growing up in his mother's dance studio alongside his sister, Marie, he developed a love and natural talent for ballroom dancing. He became an accomplished dancer at a young age, a special part of his childhood that remained a cherished skill throughout his life.

After graduating from high school, Richard began working as an usher at the Paramount Theatre in Montgomery before taking a job with the Alabama Highway Department. He was always proud to share that, as a young man, he helped build portions of Interstate 85 that run through Montgomery.

In 1963, Richard moved to Atlanta, where he worked as an usher at the Roxy and later the historic Fox Theatre. In 1964, he answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, before receiving specialized training in computer technology and being stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

It was during his time in Okinawa that Richard's life would change forever. He met the love of his life, Rosie Nievares Romero, who was visiting from the Philippines with her best friend. What began as a chance meeting overseas became a long-distance romance and a love story that would last a lifetime. Following his honorable discharge from the Army in 1968, Richard returned to the United States, where Rosie joined him in Maryland. The two were married on September 27, 1968, beginning nearly six decades of marriage, family, and shared adventures.

During his military service, Richard received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Expert Badge with the M14 rifle. After his Army service, he built a long career as a government defense contractor. His work took Richard and his family to Maryland, Virginia, New York, Colorado, and eventually Warner Robins, Georgia, where he retired as a Senior Systems Analyst.

Richard had many interests, but was an avid firearms collector and marksman who enjoyed spending time at the firing range and competing in shooting competitions, where he earned numerous trophies. Some of his favorite memories, however, were made sharing that interest with his daughters, Carol and Diana. He taught them the importance of firearm safety, showed them how ammunition was made, and took them to the range with him - passing along not only his knowledge but the joy he found in the sport.

He also had a lifelong love of cars, particularly Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. That passion took him all the way to Germany on several occasions, where he purchased cars and had the unforgettable experience of driving them on the Autobahn. He was an active member of the Mercedes-Benz Club and served three terms as president of his local Porsche Club. Anyone who knew Richard knew there was always room in his heart - and usually his garage - for one more car.

Richard was known for his quick wit, playful sarcasm, and a sense of humor that kept everyone on their toes. He was always ready with a joke or a clever comeback, and he especially loved a good prank—preferably one that involved jumping out and giving someone a harmless scare. If he could make you jump and then laugh about it, his day was made! Beneath all that teasing and mischief was a man who loved his family deeply. He was always up for a good, long phone conversation with his daughters or grandchildren, and those calls, often filled with laughter, stories, and his unmistakable sense of humor, are memories they will forever treasure.

Above all, Richard's greatest legacy is the family he leaves behind and the many years of laughter and memories they shared.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Addie Laurie Fidler; nephew, Phillip E. Thompson Jr.; maternal grandparents, Florence and William Hubbard Sr.; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Fidler; aunts and uncles, Altoona and William Hubbard Jr., Mary Ellen and Tommy Gorrie, and Charles and Jo Hubbard; and cousins, Jack Gorrie, Chuck Hubbard, Florrie Ann Hubbard Welch, Leellen Hubbard Adkinson, and Tony Adkinson.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Rosie Romero Fidler; daughters, Carol Smith (Jeff) of Pensacola, FL, and Diana Freeman (Sonny) of Opelika, AL; sister, Marie Fidler Fundora of Ball Ground, GA; grandchildren, Audra Keen (Nick), Cora Maddox (Bethany), and Addie Freeman Morales (Gabe); great-grandchildren, Silas, Noralee, and Indy Rose Keen; niece, Tania Fundora Perrella (Marc) of Ball Ground, GA; nephew, Mike Goodson of San Antonio, TX; cousins, Susan Cox Handel of North Carolina and Mary Ann Baltzer of Wetumpka, AL; as well as extended family and friends who will remember him with love.

Richard will be remembered not only for the life he lived and the things he accomplished, but for the laughter he brought into a room, the stories he shared, and the love he had for his family. His quick wit, playful spirit, and unmistakable personality will be deeply missed, but the memories he created will continue to bring smiles to those who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Richard's Life will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home in Warner Robins, Georgia. Family and friends are warmly invited to join us as we remember Richard, share stories and laughter, and celebrate a life filled with love, humor, and unforgettable memories. We would love for everyone who knew and loved Richard to come celebrate his life with us.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to either the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association in Richard's memory.