Opal Angeline Rich

Opal Angeline Cobb Rich passed away on 7/2/17 at her home in San Luis Obispo at the age of 100. She was born 2/04/1917, on a farm in Calvin, Oklahoma to John and Nina Cobb and was one of six children. In 1932, at age 15, her family piled into a Nash car and moved to Bakersfield, CA. Along with her family, she helped pick crops until age 17 when she attended nursing school at Fresno State College to get her RN license. In 1945, Opal married Paul Rich of Madera, CA. They moved to Eugene, OR and had two sons. In the early 1950’s, they moved to Crescent City, CA and had a third son. San Luis Obispo became their home in 1954. Opal worked as an RN at the Cal Poly Health Center and later for ten years was the head dialysis nurse at General Hospital and earned the nickname “Mother Rich”. She was proceeded in death by her husband Paul in 1992. Opal swam 3 times a week well into her 90’s. She was very proud of attaining a membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. For many years, she served on St. Stephen’s Episcopal Altar Guild. Opal is survived by her 3 sons: Jay, Alan and John; grandchildren Kris Peterson, Jay Jr., Brian, and Holly Rich; sister, Jonnie Chapman and brother, George Cobb; along with nieces, a nephew, great and great-great grandchildren. In Iieu of flowers, donations can be made to any macular degeneration foundation.