Richard H. Mohr

May 25, 1932 Feb 8, 2018

Rich was born in San Francisco to Frances and Herman Mohr. His parents divorced at age 10, and since he was an only child this began his path of independence.

His father introduced him to basketball and it became the recreational outlet that he grew to love in his youth. In his free time he could be found on the playgrounds of the Sunset District playing pick up games with other neighborhood kids. Many carefree summers were spent in St. Helena with his grandparents and great aunt and uncle who spoiled him, working in the family bakery and driving a tractor in the vineyards. He went to Lincoln High School where he played Varsity. His friends were important to him and he began many lifelong, cherished relationships there. As a sophomore it was at the school’s candy counter that he met his future wife, Joan Walti. Except for one brief time in college, they were a couple until their marriage in 1955.

Rich played guard for USF in the early 50s and graduated with a degree in education. He married Joan, they were in the Army for a couple years, and then he got his first coaching job at Riordan HS and achieved their first CAL championship. He moved to Walnut Creek where he and Joan raised their 3 children, David, Kathy and Denise. Rich continued working in the Mt. Diablo school district teaching, coaching and later becoming a counselor and then Vice Principal. He touched the lives of many students. There was a second championship basketball team at Ygnacio Valley HS.

Rich raised his children with discipline, but that was tempered with a wonderful sense of humor that his family appreciated. He especially enjoyed seeing his son do well in recreational and school sports.

Soon after retiring from work, Joan got Parkinson’s Disease which began a 20 year journey, and interrupted plans for a care-free retirement. Rich’s devotion to her as a husband and caregiver was remarkable through those years. As an adult he developed a passion for tennis and golf and these were his outlets of escape from caregiving. Six years ago after 57 years of marriage, his loving wife Joan passed away.

Rich went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 8th. He was never the expressive type, but he was deeply loved by his children and will be sorely missed. Also heartbroken by his passing are grandchildren Gabriel, Aidan, Shane, Erin and Alex; daughter-in-law Monica and many friends.

Rich requested a small, private service. Any donations in his name can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.