Richard Martinez Strebel

Richard Martinez Strebel was born on April 3, 1937 to Charles Strebel and Encarnacion Martinez at St Mary's Hospital in Malate, Philippines. Richard was the second eldest of four sons, with Wilhelm aka “Sonny” being the eldest, and George and Henry following closely after. Richard was of German, Spanish and Filipino descent and was a fluent speaker in not only Tagalog but Spanish as well due to his mother Encarnacion being a spanish teacher. The family of six, lived on 7th Avenue in a Grace Park homestead by Nichols Airforce Base, just North of Manila. Growing up, there was a lot of sibling rivalry between him and his brothers. The four would always bicker and fight. According to his brother George, Richard was very muscular, had a strong build, was very handsome, and almost every girl wanted him. George says he was a troublemaker of the four and whenever he would get into a fight at school, his older brother Richard would come to his side to protect him and be his wingman. At other times, Richard would joke and threaten to eat George and Henry's pet ducks that their mother had given them...once they were fully grown, those ducks did indeed end up on the dinner menu. George also recalls being very fond of his 300lb Australian pig which Richard also teased him about wanting to eat lechon. As a child, Richard had a pet dog named “FEATI” which was an acronym for Far East Air Transport Incorporated which was the first major Philippine airlines. Richard was also very serious and responsible. Growing up without much money or the modern day conveniences of running water among other things, Richard and his brothers had an enormous backyard and would plant and harvest all kinds of fruits and vegetables like corn and squash for food for the family. For activities, Richard and his brothers would attend Catholic church with their parents and were also a part of the Boy Scouts of Espiritu Santo. Richard achieved Star Scout Level.

By 1950, the Strebel Family moved to Manila on 1748 Quiricada Street . It was here that Richard was destined to meet the love of his life who lived right across the street. Virginia remembers being 13yrs of age, looking out her bedroom window with her cousin and spying on the new family moving in. She spotted two boys playing in the street, sword fighting with bamboo sticks. Richard immediately caught her eye. He was shirtless with only white pants on, and Virginia recalls pointing and giggling with her cousin about how handsome she thought Richard was. Later on, when the new family had left, Virginia walked across the street and peeked into the Strebel Family home where she was greeted by their housekeeper, Camillo, who was hanging pictures on the wall. Virginia spotted Camillo hanging a picture of Richard and eagerly inquired about him. It was not long after that Richard learned he had a secret admirer... About a year later, Richard knocked on Virginia's door asking for matches to light his cigarette. Virginia excitedly blushed and quickly returned to the door with matches for him. However, right as she was going to light a match for him, he firmly grabbed her wrist, swiftly pulled her towards him and kissed her. It was then that the flame of their love was first ignited. Richard was 15 yrs old when him and Virginia first became sweethearts. Virginia use to play games with Richard and his brothers like hopscotch and just hang out with them hitting rocks with sticks.

George and Henry attended Francisco Balagtas Elementary School with Virginia who would work in the school cafeteria and give the brothers free food.

Richard being a year ahead of Virginia, attended Arellano High School. He graduated Arellano University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Commerce Accounting. Richard worked as an auditor/accountant for many large, well known and reputable companies in the Philippines such as Ansor Food & Beverage Corporation, the Timber Company, the Marinduque Iron Mines and the San Miguel Beer Corporation.

Richard was 20 yrs old when he married Virginia Reyes at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Quezon City. For two years he established his new married life, his new home and focused on his career. At age 22, Richard and Virginia had their first child, Jennifer Socorro Reyes Strebel and a year later their second daughter, Elizabeth Reyes Strebel. Jenny and Beth grew up knowing how hard a worker their Papa was. Rain or shine, their Papa would catch the bus to go to work so he could provide for them. When Jenny and Beth were old enough to work, they earned money and helped their Papa save up for his first car once they moved to the States. It was 1980 and Richard was already 42 yrs old, but he was so excited for his Chevy Nova, that he took his wife and six kids on their first road trip to San Francisco.

On December 2, 1961, at age 24, Richard had his third daughter, Susan. Susan describes her father as a very kind and generous man who never judged anyone. As children until they grew up into adults, Richard allowed his children to make their mistakes and learn their own lessons. She recalls always being well taken care of, Papa always holding her hand while crossing streets and having a nanny/housekeeper, Camillo. She remembers her Papa always waiting up at night for her and all of her sisters to return back home.

In November before Susan turned 3yrs old, Richard and Virginia were blessed with their fourth daughter, Marylou. As a child, Marylou remembers walking in a line to church every Sunday with her parents, which was located across the street from their house. She said her Papa would always say a prayer before dinner, which was always promptly held at 6:30pm. All meals were eaten together as a family and if she or any of her sisters were late, their Papa would be irritated and angry. As an adult, Marylou's fondest memories of her father is when he would come visit her family. He had his own key to her house and would walk in so happy to see his two granddaughters. He would always bring over food and take them to the movies almost every weekend. Marylou says the simplest pleasures make her Papa the happiest.

In May of 1966, Richard and Virginia are blessed with her fifth daughter, Annabelle. As a little girl, she remembers Papa always being there for her and comforting her especially when she wasn't feeling well. She liked asking to be carried because he would always pick her up and carry her in his arms.

On August 14, 1972, Richard was 35 years old when he had his last child and daughter, Greta Reyes Strebel. Greta's fondest memory of her father is when she was about 8 years old and asked him if he would tell a scary story to her and her cousins. She remembers him being so happy and lively that he decided to take her and all the kids on a walk in the dark through the woods behind their house with flashlights and that he would suddenly point at things in the trees and bushes all around them, making the kids think there were ghosts and monsters were going to jump out at them to scare them.

In 1978, Richard was 41 yrs old when his brothers convinced him and Virginia to immigrate to the United States to give their family a better life. At first Richard was very hesitant because he already had a good job in the Philippines not to mention a big family, but his brothers told him they all needed to stay together. Richard and Virginia immigrated to California 8 months before their children to find a home, a job and to start the petition for the rest of their family. They stayed with George and his family in San Bruno where he tried very hard to find work but was unsuccessful up north. Moving slowly down, he finally found a job in Fullerton and eventually found stable job at the Orange County Sheriff Department as an accountant. In February 1979, when his eldest daughter Jenny was 20 years old, her and her sisters joined their parents. Richard, Virginia, and their six daughters all happily reunited, stayed in Orange County for a few years before purchasing their first home in Riverside California.

In the Midsummer of July 1983, Richard became a grandfather to Jenny's first daughter. From that year of 1983 all the way up to 2008, Richard and Virginia currently have ten grandchildren ranging in ages from the oldest being his 30yr old granddaughter all the way down to his 5yr old grandson, with various ages in between. Richard was blessed with eight granddaughters and only two grandsons. Nevertheless nothing could make Richard happier than visiting and seeing all his grandchildren. His face would light up every family gathering because he loved seeing all his loved ones together. He absolutely loved it when they slept over and spent time with him and his wife. He would always do his best to provide for them whatever it is they wanted or needed, ranging from driving far distances to pick them up if they called him, buying donuts in the morning when they slept over, gifting them with clothes or toys, taking them and picking them up from school or activities, randomly giving them $20 every time he saw them, but most of all he always made sure they weren't hungry... even if that meant driving to McDonald's everyday or attempting to cook something simple himself. Richard was a dog lover and even made sure his dogs never went hungry by personally boiling them their own hot dogs or throwing them a donut when he thought no one was watching. He was an all around kind of grandpa who would always surprise his grandkids with all kinds of knowledge. Richard was very wise. He was always up to date on the news and could tell you all about different histories, countries, and cultures. Richard traveled all over Europe with his wife but those who knew him well could tell you his favorite destinations were no further than Morongo or Pechanga Casinos :) He was always up to date on all the latest movies and could also tell you what celebrity was dating who. He was smart, funny, charming and had a genuine smile. He was kind, humble and modest and never boastful. He was the best grandpa they could ask for. He was never vocal or affectionate about love but you could see it in his face and through his actions and by the joy in his eyes that his family meant the world to him. Richard was the heart and soul of his wife's, children's and grandchildren's lives. He was and still is the glue that holds his family together just like they are the reason he fought so hard to stay...

In the summer of 2012, shortly after the sudden and unexpected death of his daughter Jenny, Richard's health slowly began to deteriorate as he was diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the Liver. Since then, Papa went for draining twice a month, until his body could not take it anymore. He always stayed positive and always had the support of his family to care for him and Virginia during these hard times. On the morning of November 30, 2014, just passed the Thanksgiving holiday, Virginia woke up after a long night of tears, prayer, and stories to greet her husband good morning. As she went over to kiss him and wrap her arms around him, Richard Strebel took his last breath.

Richard Strebel will always be remembered as a great husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and leader. His true joy and what kept him strong for all these years was his family. He was the kind of man who loved a full house, loudness and laughter, and waking up to a dozen of grandchildren on the living room floor. Richard Strebel was man that soothed your soul with his unconditional love, generosity, and kindness. He was filled with wonderful stories and knowledge that he always shared, whether it was for homework or just conversation. There was never a moment of judgment, bitterness, or anger that he showed his family. He accepted who we were and are imperfections, and loved us to the extent to where we understand what true love and family is all about. Richard Strebel’s life is what we celebrate today. He will be forever in our hearts.