Richard Sun Lee

Richard was born February 3, 1926 in San Francisco and grew up in SF Chinatown and the Bay Area. His mother passed away when he was a teen and was sent to Mt. Hamilton in San Jose to live on a farm for orphans. It was not long before his oldest sister Rose came to take him back home to be raised by her, with the assistance of his older brother Dick.

Richard graduated from Galileo High School and joined the Airforce working in Counter Intelligence. After the war, Richard obtained a GI Bill and attended UC Berkeley majoring in Civil Engineering.

Close friends introduced him to Susan Der and two years later they married on March 28, 1954. They lived in an apartment in the Russian Hill District and were soon blessed with the birth of their first son Norman (on Richard’s birthday) in 1957. In 1960 they bought a house in the Richmond District where Raymond was born in 1961 and Janet in 1965.

Richard retired after working at Caltrans for 38 years. He enjoyed going for long walks (often from the Richmond District to Chinatown), cooking, enhancing his knowledge at the library, visiting good friends, listening to his favorite big band music, and taking advantage of the newfound joys of watching TCM and the Western channels on cable television!

Richard was the most wonderful and beloved husband, father, and friend one could ever wish for. He was so very kind and giving, always there to offer help and support without hesitation. He taught friends how to drive, helped others obtain loans to buy a home, tutored and helped his own and other kids with schooling, and shared his wisdom and knowledge amongst so many other things. He was always full of cheer, incredibly patient, easy-going and understanding, and will always be remembered for his intoxicating laugh and sense of humor. He will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Richard is survived by his wife Susan, two sons Norman and Raymond, daughter Janet, daughter-in-law Grace, and two granddaughters Nicole and Amanda.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Colma, CA.