Richard Petroff

April 10, 1933 - September 22, 2021

OCEANSIDE, CA — With great sadness we share that Richard Petroff, 88, passed away on September 22, 2021 of Alzheimer’s disease.

Richard was born to Eastern European immigrant parents, Christ and Bonka Petroff in Waukegan, Illinois on April 10, 1933. He entered first grade without knowing English. He quickly excelled in school and sports, and earned a wrestling scholarship to attend Purdue University after graduating from Waukegan High School in 1950.

After graduation from Purdue University in 1954, Richard joined the USMC as an officer. He had a tour of duty in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star and served two tours in Okinawa. Richard later earned his MBA from the Naval Post Graduate School. Richard served 27 years in the Corps retiring in 1981 as a Lt. Col, he then began a second career in the aerospace industry.

After living in Oceanside for 23 years, Richard and his wife relocated to Palm Desert in 1996 to officially retire but remained active volunteering at Eisenhower Medical Center, Palm Springs International Film Festival and joining many clubs.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and sister Ellen. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Jeanette, daughter Lydia Petroff of Oceanside, son Clay Petroff and wife Agnieszka of Huntington Beach, daughter Lisa Howard and husband Bert of Jupiter, Florida, and son Christopher Petroff and wife Jill of Seal Beach, as well as seven grandchildren, Alex, Lauren, Luke, Taylor, Jake (all of LA County), Corey Leal of Nashville, Tennessee and Emily Howard of Baldwinsville, New York.

A private ceremony will be held at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, Oceanside. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley, 42-600 Cook Street #134, Palm Desert, California 92211 on behalf of Richard Petroff.

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