Mr. Richard R. Helmer

Richard grew up in San Jose where he attended Roosevelt Junior High School. He graduated from San Jose High School in 1964. Richard would meet Norma Kincaid at a local dance, and the two were happily married in 1966.

He and Norma had their first child, Cinthia, in Tacoma, Washington, in 1967. After serving in the Army, Richard and his family moved back to San Jose, where he worked for the Kaiser Permanente Cement Plant in Cupertino. Richard and Norma then had their second child, Steven, in 1970.

Richard would work at the cement plant for nearly 50 years, retiring in 2008 as a production supervisor.

Richard enjoyed traveling, especially via train and cruise ships. He would take his family on many road trips and they spent summers in Newport Beach, where his mother’s family owned a beach house. Richard also orchestrated many family cruises over the years.

Richard had a passion for trains, great barbecue (especially ribs), music (blues and 1950’s-1960’s R&B were his favorites), and his two favorite sports teams — the 49ers and Giants.

Richard is survived by wife Norma (Kincaid) Helmer, daughter Cinthia Martinez, son Steven Helmer, brother William Helmer, son-in-law Benjamin Martinez, daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Miranda) Helmer, grandson Anthony Martinez, and granddaughter Mia Helmer.

Visitation will be held at Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA

95125, on July 31, 2026, from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. A Funeral Service will follow from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. Then the Committal Service will be held at 1:00 P.M.