Roy Richard Umland Sr.

August 25, 1928 - February 13, 2023

Roy Richard Umland Sr. died peacefully at home on February 13 at the ripe old age of 94. Roy was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. He was known to his grandchildren as “Poppy”. Roy was born on August 25, 1928, as a fourth generation San Franciscan to his parents Carl Sr. & Grace Umland. He was predeceased by his wife (Rosemary), his parents, and his siblings, Carl Jr. and Bernice. Roy is survived by his children: Roy Jr (Toni), Steven (Sue), Janice, and Michelle; grandchildren: Theresa (Scott), Jake (Kim), and Redeana (Gurshish); and great-grandchildren: Alice, Ashley, Sterling and Meeran. Roy was raised largely in San Francisco, where his parents let him enjoy the safe city of the time by riding cable cars across town with his friends and siblings. He also spent time in the country growing up in the small town of Galt, where one of his chores was to milk the family cows for the family’s daily milk, and he worked in the fields for spending money with which he bought his first car at the age of 13. Roy proudly served in the merchant marines during World War II and in the Navy during the Korean War. He met the love of his life, Rosemary, on a blind date set up by his life-long friends Pat & Joe Dykhuizen. Roy was a member of the Local 6 Electrician’s Union for many decades. He worked his way up through the ranks as an electrician and spent his whole career in the Bay Area working on many local landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Candlestick Park, and countless stoplights. Roy and Rosemary were married for 71 years until Rosemary passed on St. Patrick’s Day in 2021. They lived in the same house in South San Francisco since 1953, on the same block as their dear friends the Dykhuizens. He looked forward to their weekly card games that would last late into the night. Roy felt blessed with two honorary daughters: Suzy and Kathleen Dykhuizen. Roy enjoyed the summer weekends with the family and Dykhuizens at the Russian River. He enjoyed hunting duck and deer. He loved the annual visits to Wyoming where Rosemary’s cousin, Shirley, and her family and friends hosted. Roy and Rosemary were naturally big 49ers fans because Rosemary’s brother was Bob St. Clair; they had fond memories of cheering on the red and gold at Kezar, Candlestick, and Levi’s. Roy was also very handy. He even built an addition to his house almost entirely by himself. Roy was an avid reader and had a good grasp of history and current events. He had a sharp mind, good sense of humor, and enjoyed conversation. Roy was a sizable man, but was kind and gentle with a genuinely sunny disposition. Christmas was Poppy’s favorite time of year; he enjoyed listening to Christmas songs even in July. He loved his family and routinely stated that he was blessed with the best family around. Roy will be deeply missed. We encourage his friends and family to raise a glass in his honor when they remember the kindness that this great man had to his core. Some believe that he departed this world on February 13 so he could be beside Rosemary on Valentine’s Day.