Of Goleta, California passed away peacefully in his home on November 29, 2016. He was 97.

Richard was born on December 20, 1918 in Downey to Hortense and John Freeman. He was the older brother to Millicent Freeman.

From the beginning, Richard was a determined and charismatic man of his word. He worked diligently in building materials for over 40 years until retiring in the mid 1980's. He became a member of the United States Navy, and served in Seattle during World War II.

Richard married the love of his life Ruth Scouller. They were happily married for 59 years and lived in Westchester with their three children Terence, Greg and Boni. Ruth sadly passed away in 1999.

A second chance at love came in 2000 when Richard married long time friend Adeline Klein. They moved to Goleta in 2001 and lived happily before Adeline passed in 2014.

Richard loved to travel and saw the world even briefly even working as a travel agent after his retirement.

He was devoted to his family and always spoke of how proud he was of each one. Those who knew Richard would describe him as someone who truly saw the ?glass always half full.? He viewed life as a joy and lived each moment with grace, integrity, respect and laughter. He was often found smiling and telling heartwarming stories of his day-to-day life and the wonderful people he had met on a daily basis. He was a man who inspired many. A stranger would become a friend from one conversation with him.

Richard was a loyal member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Westchester and later the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, sons Terence and Greg, second wife, Adeline, and sister, Millicent.

Richard is survived by his daughter Boni Grainger, son-in-law Nigel Grainger, granddaughters: Rita Bonder and her husband, Tom Bonder, Jennifer Freeman, Emily Brandes and husband, Ricardo Brandes, Heather Grainger and fiancé, Jesse Clemmer and grandsons, Christopher Freeman and his wife Alyssa Freeman, and Thomas Freeman, and five great-grandchildren: Amelia and Conner Brandes, Jameson Clemmer, and Elijah and Kaylee Freeman.

A celebration of life memorial service will be on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on 21 East Constance Ave. in Santa Barbara. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care (VNHC) at 509 East Montecito St. Suite 200 Santa Barbara, CA 93103.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pueblo del Rey Funeral Services.