Richard Bettencourt died peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Kaiser hospital of complications from congestive heart failure. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. He was 80 years old.
Rich was a native of the Delta region and a graduate of Galt High School and Fresno State. He served in the Army and taught auto shop, which he left to start his own cabinet shop in his garage. Over many years, he built his custom cabinet shop into a thriving business. Rich and Mike’s Cabinets is still going strong under his longtime business partner and dear friend, Mike.
He was generous with his wisdom and advice and was a mentor to many. He was a builder of everything, from race cars to sand cars for his kids and grandkids, from playhouses to furniture. He built his first car from the ground up, a Model A, as a teenager and loved everything about cars, from building and racing them to driving them. He was a careful craftsman and a thoughtful planner and problem solver. He had a loud, hearty laugh and a wealth of funny sayings. He loved his family, his friends, nature, his dog and cars.
Rich is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, LeAnn, his two daughters Lisa and Laura, 4 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and his two sisters, Janice and Judy. He is also survived by his Mustang and his Pinto, various cars, trucks, campers, and a boat. His service will be at the Church of Our Savior in Placerville on April 2 at 11am.
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