H. Richard "Dick" and Thelma Lloyd

LLOYD, Howard Richard "Dick" Dad always commanded respect when he walked into a room, a result of how he lived his life, striving for excellence in everything he did. Dick was married almost 70 years to the love of his life, Thelma, who passed away in February 2015. Born November 25, 1924, in Englewood, Colorado, passed away at home in Santa Rosa surrounded by his loving family on April 14, 2016 at the age of 91. Father to 7 children, Grandfather to 13, Great Grandfather to 13, he dedicated his whole life to children and education. Survived by his children and their spouses: Valerie Kneip, David and Linda Lloyd, Patty and Jack Nosecchi, Carol and Mike Henson, Becky and Doug Erker, Dan Lloyd, John and Joyce Lloyd; adoring grandchildren Nicholas, Naomi, Anthony, David, Robert, William, Mike Jr., Carrie and DJ, Jonathan and Karissa, Chris and Liza, Jason and Andrea, Casey and Jill, Kendra and Josh, and great grandchildren Carter, Jaxson, Angelo, Gabe, Jenica, Owen, James, Junie, Ashley, Derek, Breck, Kaelyn, Rachel. Preceded in death by his parents Howard and Blanche, brothers Wayne and David, and sisters Mary Lois and Ruth Jeanne. Dick is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and a few very special friends. We would like to thank Taking the Journey caregivers and the Hospice by the Bay team who took very good care of Dick and the family over the past few weeks. Dick had a life full of variety, always very productive with a wide range of accomplishments. Two weeks after Dick turned 17, Pearl Harbor was attacked and he enlisted in the US Navy. His Naval career spanned World War 2 and Korea. During one of his few liberties he visited Napa where he met his "million-dollar baby" at a five and ten cent store and his love story with Thelma began. After military service Dick attended college and earned a masters degree in Public Administration. While raising their family in Santa Rosa, Dick was teacher, principal and superintendent for the Piner-Olivet School District for 17 years. During this time he started Boy Scout Troup 134 and served with that Troup for over 40 years earning the Silver Beaver Award. To serve students in every educational way possible he started an outdoor program called "Green Box" for the County of Sonoma that was adopted statewide. He instilled in his family an appreciation and love of the earth, we are all fascinated by rocks and collect one at each special place we visit. Piner-Olivet dedicated one of their baseball fields to Dick which is perfect as he loved baseball and football, supporting the Giants and 49ers. After all his children graduated from Piner-Olivet it was time for Dick's next phase in education by working for the Sonoma County Office of Education "teaching teachers how to teach" from one end of the county to the other, education and children always the focus, remaining there for 12 years. Once retired Dick turned his full attention to the home he shared with Thelma becoming a fantastic gardener and grandpa. A memorial will be held to celebrate his life on May 21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the MUR at Piner Elementary School/Northwest Prep, 2590 Piner Rd, Santa Rosa. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice by the Bay, 190 West Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476: www.hospicebythebay.org. Services Entrusted to: Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pressdemocrat/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=179841119#sthash.IfD41ndv.dpuf