Funeral, Travel Arranged at No Cost to the Hubers

Robert R. Risher never knew Denise Huber, nor is he acquainted with the Huber family. But he is a friend of Costa Mesa Police Chief David L. Snowden, and that’s all the reason he needed to assist the family.

“I know how much this case meant to (Snowden) and I wanted to help in any way I could,” said Risher, who has arranged for the funeral and the family’s travel at no cost to them.

Risher, president of a mortuary and ambulance business in Montebello, said he doesn’t want the family to have to worry about any of the funeral plans.

“This is difficult time for people,” he said.

This is not the first time Risher, 46, of Montebello, has assisted the Costa Mesa Police Department at a time of mourning. In 1987, he paid for the burial of two police officers who died when their helicopter crashed.

“He’s a compliment to the human race. I love him to death,” Snowden said. “Because (Huber’s death) hurt me, it hurt him. He’s an incredible guy.”

Snowden and Risher have been friends for more than 20 years. They met when Snowden was a rookie officer in Montebello and Risher was driving ambulances.

“We’re like brothers,” Risher said.

Throughout the investigation of Denise Huber’s June 3, 1991, disappearance, Risher had tried to help. When Orange County residents started using bumper stickers to spread the word that the 23-year-old Newport Beach woman was missing, Risher asked for a stack of stickers to put on his ambulances in Los Angeles County.

And, even though he never met the Hubers, he has been touched by their ordeal.

“I have a 22-year-old daughter and can only imagine how they feel,” Risher said. “You’ve got to look at it from that point.”

Ione Huber said the family is grateful for help with the funeral arrangements.

Risher said he used his contacts in the mortuary business to provide the funeral at no cost to the Hubers. He said business associates were standing ready in Arizona, California and South Dakota to transport and prepare Denise Huber’s body for the funeral, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday in Herreid, S.D.

“It’s not often that a loved one is found after such a long period of time,” Risher said. “We just want to help put the body to rest and bring the family some peace.”