Richard Ken Mayeda was born on March 13, 1947 in Portland, Oregon to Karuo and Teruko Mayeda. 


In 1967, Richard was drafted into the Army, where he served for 3 years.  After completing his training at Fort Dix (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst), in New Jersey, 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 and was awarded an Honorable Discharge.