Richard Alfred Derpinghaus

Richard was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on February 24,1931 to Albert and Louise Derpinghaus. He spent his formative years in Green Bay, attending local schools and graduating from Green Bay East High School in 1948. He was employed by Boulder Parts Corporation until he entered the U.S. Air Force on January 6, 1951.

Richard was stationed mainly at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California, except for a period of time in England during 1951-1952. He served as a Crew Chief on B-50 and B-47 type aircrafts. He was honorably discharged on January 5, 1955, as a Staff Sergeant.

Richard was married to the former Beverle Joan Breed, also of Green Bay, Wisconsin, on March 14, 1953, in Pacific Grove, California. He and Beverle returned to Green Bay in January of 1955 upon discharge from the Air Force and back to Fresno, California in October of 1955. He was employed by North American Aviation Company from 1955 to 1957 and PG&E from 1957-1958.

He attended Fresno City College graduating with an Associate of Arts Degree in Engineering and was employed by the City of Fresno Public Works Engineering Division. He remained with the City for over 32 years, retiring as a Supervising Technical Engineer on June 8, 1992.

As a long-time member of both, Richard served as President of the Los Amigos and Assembly Dance Clubs. He was a member of the Honor Guard of the American Legion Post # 147, Clovis, California for several years. He was a cabin owner at Camp Sierra and served on the Board of that organization as both a member and a treasurer. As a lifelong Lutheran, Richard was a member Redeemer Lutheran Church of Fresno.

He was predeceased by his wife, Beverle Joan Derpinghaus; his parents, one brother, Albert Carlton Derpinghaus, one sister, Janice Louise Derpinghaus, and one grandson, Ryan Garrett Derpinghaus.

He is survived by three daughters and one son - Denise Carlson (Mark), Loren Derpinghaus (Susan), Renee Derpinghaus, and Lynette Shor (Amnon), as well as six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.