Richard “Hap” Connolly Happoldt, 79, passed away on July 26, 2022 at his home surrounded by family after a courageous four year battle with cancer. Hap was born on October 15, 1942 in Fresno, CA to Charles C. Happoldt and Mae Curtin Happoldt, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Heide Aguirre Happoldt, and was the devoted father of Dan J. Happoldt (Lisa), Michael C. Happoldt and Ingrid Aguire Happoldt (Bob Whitehill). Hap was very proud of his four grandchildren as well, Alexander and Sophia Happoldt and Connor and Diego Whitehill as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also preceded in death by his brother Danny Happoldt.
Hap grew up in Stockton, CA and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1962 before heading to Santa Clara University for undergraduate studies. In 1966, he received his BS degree in business and married his college sweetheart Heide shortly afterward. He was drafted by the United States Army and proudly served his country for three years–spending a majority of his tour in Germany where his first child was born. After his military service, Hap would start his hugely successful 31 year sales career with Levi Strauss and Company. His career with Levi took him to Virginia Beach, VA, Lakeland, Florida and Charlotte, NC. Hap’s outgoing personality helped him to build relationships everywhere he went and allowed him to make many lifelong friends. He won countless sales achievement awards during his time at Levi’s, but his real legacy was the impact he had on his co-workers, many of whom remained his close friends long after his retirement. The Happoldt family will always be grateful to Levi Strauss, as Hap’s father, Charles, spent 44 years as a sales rep with them as well.
Upon his retirement in 1999, Hap and Heide decided to move back to their home state of California, ultimately settling in the central coast city of Templeton. Hap will always be known for being the life of the party, and the Happoldt house was routinely the site of many social events. Hap loved his family, his friends, traveling, golf, 1950’s rock and roll, shuffleboard and anything chocolate. He was known for his lifelong search for a shoebox of $100 bills and particularly enjoyed organizing his Santa Clara alumni functions. In retirement, he became a master in woodworking– winning many awards for his elaborate miniature planes, trucks and women’s jewelry. He was also blessed with an amazing singing voice and was not afraid to grab the microphone and take to the stage at many weddings or Curtin family reunions. We can only imagine the Irish songs he’s performing with his Dad and family up in Heaven.
The Happoldt family will always be proud of Hap’s generosity, his big heart, his humor and playfulness, his service to his country, his 56 years of devoted marriage, his Catholic faith, and at the time of his death, his 32 years of sobriety. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 10 am at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in San Francisco, CA.
For online condolences please visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/atascadero-ca/richard-happoldt-10861855
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