Richard Allen Emde

Fresno, California – Richard Allen Emde, our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend passed away on March 14,2026 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.

Rich was born on July 12,1956 in Iowa City, Iowa to John and Mina Emde.

As a child, he loved participating in all sports, being outdoors, hanging out with his friends and playing board games with his brother Jeff. He grew up as a typical child of the 60’s. Eventually he focused on baseball as a left-handed pitcher. In 1974, as a high school senior, he was awarded all conference, all district and all state awards and still holds many season and career pitching records at his high school.

Rich attended the University of Iowa; He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in accounting with high distinction in 1978. While at the University he met the love of his life Linda Sue Berg. They met in January 1978, and they were married thirteen months later in February 1979 and have been together as soul mates for 47 years at the time of Rich’s passing.

After graduation, Rich and Linda moved to Minneapolis, Mn where Rich began his career in accounting and finance, earning his certificate as a Certified Public Accountant in 1981. Daughter Kristin came along in 1985 quickly becoming a center point in Rich’s life. The family embarked on an adventure in 1986 when Rich accepted a transfer to Lodi, California yet remaining with General Mills.

In 1988, the family moved to Fresno as Rich accepted the top financial position at Sun-Maid Growers of California. He was always proud to have been a key member of the team that successfully turned the cooperative around from the financial difficulties it was having at the time of his arrival. Spending the rest of his career at Sun-Maid he took an early retirement in 2011 after 24 years as the Chief Financial Officer.

Shortly after arriving in Fresno, the family was blessed with the arrival of son Erik who completed the family group. As the children were growing Rich could always be found spending time with them whether playing sports, just hanging out or attending one of their many games or meets. When he had time, he still tried to work out or go to the gym, but the family was his primary focus. As a family, they were able to go on many fun vacations, including British Columbia, Hawaii, Florida, the Caribbean and of course back to Iowa to visit the grandparents. After retirement, Rich and Linda continued their travel adventures. They found great joy in hiking the trails of the United States whether the canyons of Utah, beaches of Oregon or mountains of Washington. Mt. Rainer National Park was one of his favorites. They also enjoyed several international trips including Norway, Spain, Italy and Switzerland.

One of Rich’s finest days was walking his daughter down the aisle in 2021 as she wed her husband Christopher Turley as was any day spent with one of the grandchildren Ashton, Juniper or Aspen. During his life he owned and loved three Springer Spaniels named Higgins, Casey and Ollie who wait for him across the rainbow bridge.

Rich was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, an infant sister and son Erik. He is survived by his loving wife Linda Emde, his daughter Kristin Turley, (husband) Chris, and granddaughters Juniper and Aspen, grandson Ashton Emde and his mother Kayla Holder. He is also survived by his brother Jeff and sister-in-law Alicia and numerous nephews and nieces.

A life ended too soon, as many journeys and adventures remain to complete, his memory will live on in our hearts forever.

Celebration of Life Service to be held at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel on Friday, April 24 at 11am.