Richard, Rich, Dick, Dear Dickie, Dick the Stick, and Sergeant Sweetie. Dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, nephew, son and friend are just a few names our father answered to. It seems appropriate for a man loved by so many.
Dad passed away in his home on January 21st, 2019 due to respiratory failure brought on by recent TIA’s. He was 76 years old.
Born in Ohio on October, 24th 1942, dad’s parents sought a better life and climate and the family eventually settled in the San Gabriel Valley. Dad and his older brother, Dave were active and happy kids making plenty of friends. They were both in the Boy Scouts and became Eagle Scouts.
Dad attended Wilson Middle School in Pasadena which is where he met the love of his life, Linda Ellis. Dad would take the bus to her family’s home to visit, but there were several times when Linda’s father would turn him away at the door. Dad would have to get back on the bus and return home. He was undeterred and continued his bus trips and courtship.
Dad was always a hard-worker and had several jobs while attending Pasadena High School. He sometimes smelled “fowl” while on dates with mom after delivering fried chicken from a local restaurant. He also worked for years at gas stations. This was a good fit as he was very mechanically inclined. During this era, stations actually offered full service, pumping the gas, checking the oil and fixing mechanical problems as needed.
Certainly one cannot think of dad without mom coming to mind. They were as inseparable as a couple could be and were each other's first and only love. They wed at 18 years of age, had three sons and celebrated more than 50 years of marriage before mom succumbed to cancer in December of 2012.
Dad always loved automobiles and was quite an enthusiast, turning several Chevy’s into award-winning trophy cars. These were so immaculate, one could purportedly eat off the engine. He also found the time to take flying lessons and obtained his pilot’s license.
He eventually felt the call of law-enforcement and was hired by the Santa Ana Police Department. It was a much different time back then and dad was handed a penal code and hit the streets with a training officer for a short time before being released from training. Dad attended the police academy after having worked the streets for six months.
Dad had a very strong sense of right and wrong and aggressively enforced the law. He was a cop’s cop and found his pleasure and niche in his long standing role as a Sergeant. His son, Gary was inspired to follow in his footsteps and also enjoyed a career in law enforcement.
Dad was rightfully proud of his career and long association with the Santa Ana Police Department. The fine men and women from this organization were a second family to him and a great source of pride, laughter and camaraderie.
Dad was a happy person and had quite the sense of humor. He displayed considerable wit and penned a column named Dear Dickie for the SAPOA. Inspired by Dear Abby, he dispensed advice laced with humor to those in search of answers to life's most vexing problems.
Dad was an avid traveler and inveterate planner of vacations. Like his father before him, he would spend months looking forward to and planning our next adventure. Childhood vacations with mom and dad were like a real life version of the movie, “Vacation” starring Chevy Chase.
The 1970 Ford LTD Station Wagon with simulated wood paneling was our ticket to adventure as we camped our way through most of the United States. Dad was so proud of the 8 track player with quadraphonic sound that came with the car. With Tony Orlando and Dawn, Captain and Tennille and Neil Sedaka blaring, we sang our way to places near and far as the Ford racked up the miles.
We saw sights big and small from the Tillamook Cheese Factory to the Grand Tetons. From the Olympia Beer Factory tour (Child Protective Services anyone?!) to Brice and Zion National Parks. We even stayed in a funeral home with the Penningtons and occasionally still seek counseling to cope!
We also enjoyed spending time with a camping group almost every month under the auspices of the Fredson’s RV club.
Mom and Dad were a package deal. If you were friends with one, you were were friends with both. They were quite social, enjoying meals, get togethers and traveling with those they were close to. Cruises were a particular favorite of theirs.
Having the misfortune to be born a mere 4 days before Dad, Mom was needled on annual basis during that 4 day period before dad caught up to her age. Dad’s good natured ribbing would include cards, notes and jokes with dad referring to mom as an old lady, cradle-robber and cougar!
After mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer, we promised her we would look after dad and care for him after she passed and we did. He was heartbroken and at a complete loss without her. The mere mention of her would cause his voice to crack and bring tears to his eyes. After a few years, he was able to speak of her with some composure. They were truly a testament to enduring love.
Dad continued to look forward to having lunch with the “old fogies” he used to work with and reminisce about old times. He eventually found friendship and companionship with Francine. This brought him some happiness during the last couple of years before he passed.
Dad was a good man who lived a moral and meaningful life who will be missed.
He touched a great many people and made a difference in the community he served and with the many relationships he maintained throughout the years.
Dad is survived by his brother Dave, his three sons, Gary, Michael and Stephen and his grandchildren.
We want to thank you all for the love and friendship you have shown our parents over the years and the warm wishes and condolences you’ve sent our way. We believe mom and dad have been reunited and are probably planning their next getaway in the station wagon or perhaps on a cruise with friends.
For anyone wishing to give, please consider the Santa Ana Police Officers Association Widows and Orphans Fund or the American Stroke Association.
Richard Eldon Faust, 10-7 end of watch, January 21, 2019. May the memory of Dick and Linda be eternal.
An informal open house celebrating Richard’s life will be held at the Santa Ana Police Officers Association at 1607 S. Sycamore St, Santa Ana, California 92701 on Sunday, February 10th from 11:00-4:00. This will be an opportunity for friends and family to stop by to gather and reminisce anytime during those hours.
Gary, Michael and Stephen Faust
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