Richard Gene Elrich
Born: July 23rd, 1929
Died: December 27th, 2017
Obituary
Obituary for Richard Gene Elrich
Richard was born to John and Martha Elrich in Bakersfield California. He was the 10th of 13 siblings. He attended Rosedale School and Kern County Union High School. He married Pauline Kroeker in 1950 and they enjoyed 63 years together before her passing in 2014.
Richard began working on the family farm in his youth, often hitchhiking out to the ranch while in high school to change water during his lunch hour. He farmed in the Rosedale-Rio Bravo area throughout his life, and continued… to work in the fields long past his retirement date. His children and grandchildren alike have many memories of time spent on the farm with Pops.
He served on the boards of a number of organizations including the Rosedale Coop Gin, the Greeley and Rio Bravo-Greeley School Districts, Hartland Christian Camp and Rosedale Bible Church. He is remembered by many as the person who first welcomed them to the church where he also taught an adult Sunday School class for many years.
Richard was a hard-working do-it-yourselfer who personally built or rebuilt three different houses for his family to live in. Family vacations usually involved camping and water skiing at mountain lakes. He and Pauline spent much of their retirement salmon fishing on the Pacific Ocean.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, all but one of his siblings, his wife Pauline, and a daughter, Diane. He is survived by brother, Calvin Elrich; children, Daryl Elrich (Becky), Sheri Sardo (Carlos), Ted Elrich (Penny); grandchildren, Brent Elrich (Jena), Doug Elrich (Amanda), Tricia Saba (Anthony), Keith Sardo (Emily), Denise Sardo, Michelle Elrich, & Paul Elrich (Meredith); great-grand children, Haley & Eric Saba, Ella & Asher Sardo, Brooklyn & Kylie Elrich.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers from Agape In Home Care, Pacifica Senior Living, Dean’s Care Villa and Villa Carmelli for the excellent care they provided Richard during his final years.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 9:00 am at Shafter Memorial Park with a memorial service to follow at 10:30 at Rosedale Bible Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hartland Christian Camp.