David Michael Richards

David M. Richards was born on 1/15/42 in Stanley Wisconsin. He completed school through high school in Stanley then went into the Army on 5/31/1960. David was enrolled in the Army Security Agency – U.S. Army branch (est.1945–1977) that intercepted and decoded encrypted communications – stationed in Turkey on an Army Base at the 5th USASA Field Station in Sinop. On 9/21/1965 he received an honorable discharge.

After his military career, David came out to San Diego for a vacation with one of his friends from the Army and never left, even when his friend did. He decided to go to Grossmont Jr. College where he received an associates degree. David met his future wife, Patricia (Patsy) on 9/18/1965 and they married on 8/12/1966.

In 1967 he went to work at Burroughs Corp. (they made Adding machines). He was a Field Engineer for a year and then he volunteered to go to Detroit to be trained on a “new machine” called a “Computer”. The Company wasn’t sure it would “catch on” but David spent the next 35 years as a computer specialist and engineer.

In October of 1972 their dream of starting a family came true when their cherished daughter, Julie, was born and they soon outgrew their small house on Saranac St. and made the move to their present home in San Carlos. It turned out to be the best choice they ever made as the neighbors soon became the “family of their hearts” and they remain so to this day.

When retired and after a short time David became bored quickly and began volunteering at the San Diego Automotive Museum and restoration projects where he had the opportunity to work on and restore classic cars. He also went back to college, began restoring his own truck, and began making cigar box guitars out of anything he could find; including a crutch and a lunch pail amplifier. Also during his “retirement” he thought he would try being an Uber driver. He loved people and drove a taxi for a short time when he first got out of the Army, so this was a smooth transition for him. After 1 yr he was given a certificate for giving over 10,000 rides with no complaints. Unfortunately, Covid put a stop do his days of driving for the company.

Over the years they were so blessed to have family & friends visit often. David and Patsy loved traveling, visiting Julie & her husband, Michael in Las Vegas, and going on their “adventures”. But they had two special places they traveled to the most, Idyllwild in the mountains & the Bay Club Resort on Shelter Island each year on their Anniversary for at least 30 years.

David is survived by his wife of 60 years Patricia, his daughter Julie and her husband Mike, brothers Neil and Mark & his wife Mary, sisters Diane, and Marla & her husband Ed. Also, many cherished nieces, nephews & cousins.