Richard Chylinski

Richard, a loving husband, father, and grandfather is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons Michael (Danielle) and Patrick (Cynthia); daughter Manya; grandchildren Jackson, Piper, and Owen; and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Mary (Marshall) and his brother Eugene.

Upon graduation from high school in southern California, Richard joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country during the Korean conflict. After leaving the navy, Richard enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen.

After receiving his master’s degree in architecture from UC Berkeley in 1963, Richard and Kathleen moved their young family to southern California and he became a practicing architect. He soon began teaching architecture at Cal Poly, Pomona, and in 1966, he founded the architecture program there. He served as director of the department from 1966-1969 and chaired the department from 1973-1976. He retired as professor emeritus in 2002. He was also a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

Richard was a dedicated teacher and was recognized repeatedly by colleagues and students for meritorious performance in teaching. In later years he received a letter from a former student who failed his class and thanked Richard for holding him accountable and credited that failure in class to contributing to his future success.

He worked with architect Charles Moore on several projects including Sea Ranch in Sonoma County, the Psychoanalytic Building in Los Angeles, and the Burns Residents in Santa Monica. Richard was a hardworking, moral man, and saw the world through the lens of the built environment, function, and design.

He was also shy, kind, and gentle, and concentrated on providing his family with the best life without focusing on himself. He loved to tell stories about his family and his days in the Navy.

The burial will be private.