Donald Eugene Richard

March 9, 1929 - September 19, 2022

Donald Eugene “Gene” Richard died in San Mateo, CA on September 19, 2022 at the age of 93. Gene is now reunited with his wife of 65 years, Barbara Beukema Richard, who passed away in 2020. Gene was the loving father of Thomas (Clare) of State College, PA, John (Kathryn) of Atlanta, GA and David (Shannon) of Ventura, CA; devoted grandfather of Tim and Elaine; Alex, Sarah, James and Laura; Charlie and Hazel; loving brother of Allen (Judy) Richard of Bellevue, WA; and uncle of many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Gerald and sister-in-law Phyllis Richard; and brother-in-law Phil and sister-in-law Sheila Beukema.

Born in Brush, Colorado on March 9, 1929, to Don and Gladys Richard, he graduated from the University of Colorado and became an officer in the U.S. Navy. Following his marriage to Barbara in 1955, Gene retired from active duty but continued to serve in the Navy Reserve, rising to the rank of Commander. Moving west to California with his young family, Gene earned an M.B.A from Stanford University and joined Ernst and Ernst (now Ernst and Young), becoming a partner in 1970. He retired in 1988 after thirty years with the firm. Gene was active in the California Society of CPAs, serving as President of the San Francisco Chapter and a statewide Director, as well as President of the San Francisco Tax Club. Gene was known to his colleagues as a real “tax man’s tax man” for his integrity, encyclopedic knowledge, and attention to detail. In addition to helping raise his family of three boys, he was an active member of The Family, the San Francisco Golf Club, the Bombay Bicycle Riding Club, and the Hillsborough Racquet

Club, where he and Barbara especially enjoyed weekly bridge evenings. They often hosted friends at their second home in Bodega Bay, where Gene loved to golf, enjoyed the ocean views, and honed his grill master skills. After Gene retired, he and Barbara enjoyed many interesting travels around the world with their many friends. He had a remarkable memory, which helped make him a wonderful storyteller.

After prior moves from homes in Millbrae and on Sugarloaf Mountain, Gene lived his final years at The Peninsula Regent in downtown San Mateo. He served as President of The Peninsula Regent Homeowners Board for several years, and he and Barbara hosted many cocktail and dinner parties there. Gene enjoyed visiting with friends and family and attending services at Saint Matthews Episcopal Church. He also continued to serve as Treasurer of the Peninsula Roundtable and as a Trustee for the Doelger Foundation.

Noting that “if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right”, Gene lived his life “right”, right to the end. A family man, a devoted son, husband and father, Gene Richard’s honesty, integrity, and kindness to all will be deeply missed and always remembered.