On August 16, 2026, Arlyn (Arly) Richau died peacefully in his home in Scottsdale, Arizona after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 76 years old.
Arly was born on April 22, 1950, and grew up in Mandan, ND. He graduated from Mandan High School in 1968. He got his undergraduate degree in English from North Dakota State University in 1972, where he was a part of the 1969 championship Bison football team, for which he proudly wore his championship ring. He went on to receive his law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1975. He was very active in North Dakota politics, serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the North Dakota Tax Department, and then being appointed the youngest (at the time) Securities Commissioner in the U.S. (serving from 1977 to 1981). He practiced law in Bismarck for many years, before moving to Arizona in 1995, where he continued practicing law until his retirement.
He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Gaab, in 1975. They were married for 30 years, sharing one daughter, Lavi, whom he said "owned him", until his two granddaughters, Ava and Ivy, came along and then they were his "owners". He loved his girls more than anything. In 2017, he found a partner in love, life, and business with his wife, Julie, when they met one special night at Dominick's. They were married in 2025, and she gave more of herself than anyone, walking with him through these last several years.
Those who knew Arly will remember his humor, strength, generosity, determination, love of family, and unwavering faith. He loved spending time with his family and friends, lifting weights, NDSU Bison football, movies, talking politics, firearms, and fast cars. He was very involved in his Catholic parish of St. Patrick Scottsdale, where he had served as a core leader for the middle school youth program and a Eucharistic Minister. He was also a founding member of a men's prayer group with some of his closest friends that has met every Friday for over 20 years.
He is survived by his wife, Julie; his daughter, Lavi (Andrew); his granddaughters, Ava and Ivy; his brothers, Clem (Jean), Lee (Amy); his sister, Bonnie (Ron); many beloved nieces and nephews; and his former wife Kathy (Mark). He is preceded in death by his father, Emil; his mother, Esther; and his brother, Lavio.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Community in Scottsdale, AZ on Wednesday, October 28th at 11:30am.
