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Per classmate and friend Ed Davis, Richard Mills passed away Saturday, December 28th, 2024 at 02:21 hours due to complications of his heart and serious MS problems.
We are glad, Richard, that we got to see you at our 50th reunion, in Newport Beach, California (held one year late, due to the Covid pandemic). Blessings, brother. 🙏🏻
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Scott Wartenberg
I'm so sorry to hear of Rich's passing, though I'm comforted in knowing that he isn't suffering anymore. Rich was the one who invited me to join his Boy Scout troop 501 at the Church of the Lighted Window. We went all through school together, starting at Palm Crest Elementary, F.I.S. and L.C.H.S. He was always kind to me and I especially appreciated his dry sense of humor. His dad and mine went to Wilson High in Long Beach together and his brother, John, worked for my Dad ("Uncle" George, Superintendant at Samuelson Bros Construction) building the La Crescenta Sheriff station. I remember Rich showing me his new fire starter kit in the boys bathroom at F.I.S. for Boy Scout outings. Sparks flying everywhere...I just knew he was going to set the paper towels on fire and I'd have a lot of explaining to do...especially Rich! He showed great courage in his journey with M.S. and to see him one last time at our last reunion was a real blessing. I still occasionally see Rich's brother, John, who later moved his concrete company up here to Salem. R.I.P. Rich. Kind and adventurous in life and courageous to the end. You will be greatly missed.
Garrett Hildebrand
A very special thing happened to me before the MS really took hold. I don't know how, but Richard figured-out that I was working at UCI, and called me on my office phone. He said he was living in the San Diego area, and had a reason to come up this way, and asked if we could do lunch?
Of course, I was delighted at the idea. Well, we met at a great Chinese restaurant near UCI, and we spent three hours together swapping stories, catching up, and remembering bygone times. He was warm, friendly, and full of life. I'll always remember his great, warm smile.
Because I attended Paradise Canyon elementary school, I did not meet Richard until 6th grade, at FIS. He was in my homeroom class with (I think) Mrs. Grant. He was a funny guy, making us laugh. I've liked him from that time, forward.
So wonderful to remember those precious days.
My prayers to Richard's family.
Jon Ball
I didn't know Richard well, but I lived kind of close to him. I didn't know him in school at all; I went to Glendale schools (Garrett graciously admitted me to this group because I knew many LCHS '70 people at Church of the Lighted Window). In about 1964-65 or so, Richard and I had adjacent Herald-Examiner paper routes. When one of us was unable to deliver the papers on a given day, the other would sometimes cover the route. Except possibly at the CC-YMCA, I don't think I ever saw him again after that. He was a good guy. RIP