Visitation will be on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at Thacher Funeral Home, 629 E Morgan St, Boonville, MO with memorial service to follow at 11:00 am. Officiating will be Fr. Bill Peckman. Inurnment will be in St Peter & Paul Cemetery in Boonville, MO.
Richard was born on June 3, 1935 in Boonville, MO the son of Harold Jennings and Dora Lane (Nevins) Stretz who preceded him in death. After he graduated from S.S. Peter & Paul High School, Boonville, MO, he joined the US Navy where he served as a medic from 1954-1958. He then pursued his dream of becoming an actor and moved to New York where he studied acting, performing in four off-Broadway productions as well as small roles in two Broadway productions. He attended Stephens College from 1974-1976 where he earned a BA in Theatre Arts and German. He worked as the Program Coordinator for the Community Food and Nutrition Program for the Lane County Senior Services in Eugene, OR. While living in Oregon he earned a Graduate Teaching Fellowship from the University of Oregon and a Master Gardener Certificate from Oregon State University. In 1985, he moved to Los Angeles, CA where he enjoyed Community Theater and taught year-round acting classes for children and teens for the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs, Barnsdall Art Park until 1995. Richard retired from the State of California as a case worker for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Social Services Department. He was also the Program Director with Easter Seal Society of California for five years, the Gallery Education Coordinator for the Junior Arts Center, Barnsdall Art Park for ten years and Program Coordinator for Los Angeles Children’s Museum for four years. Richard was a lover of all flowers and a horticulturist who specialized in plant hybridizing. He was the Vice President of the American Hemorocallis Society and Senior Exhibition Judge of the American Hermerocallis Society as well as horticultural lecturer in Los Angeles area plant societies. After retirement, Richard moved back to his roots, Boonville, MO in order to enjoy his family and friends. Survivors include: two sisters, Denise Blankenship (Greg) and Stephanie Young (Bill); one brother, John Stretz (Marla) and several nieces and one nephew. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Karen Sylvia Stretz and one nephew, Clark Cody Stretz.
Memorials may be made to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Education Foundation, 322 7th Street, Boonville, MO 65233 or NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness, 3405 W Truman Blvd, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
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