Richard Ken Mayeda was born on March 13, 1947 in Portland, Oregon to Karuo and Teruko Mayeda.  He was raised in Portland, Oregon with his older sister Alice.
 
In 1967, Richard was drafted into the Army, where he served for 3 years.  He served as a Radio Operator in the Vietnam War and was also stationed in Germany.  Richard completed his service in the Army in 1969.

He married his wife Yumiko in August 1981 and they were married for 32 years.  He worked for the US Postal Service for over 30 years before retiring.