Former resident of Moraga and Walnut Creek, Rich Masar passed away on June 13, 2009 at the age of 71 in his beloved adopted hometown of Washington, DC where he resided since 1998. Survived by his wife of 19 years, Eleanor; son Steven and partner Tena; son Michael and wife Kristen; daughter Susan Bowman; stepson Keith Petersen and wife Rachel; stepdaughter Kristina Petersen; sister Betty Wilson and brother-in-law David and their family; and grandchildren Steven, Griffin and Greta Petersen, Hunter Schulz and Scott and Jennifer Bowman.
Rich will also be remembered fondly by many extended family members and his wonderful friends from around the Bay Area and across the country. Born and raised in Oakland, Rich graduated from Bishop O'Dowd High School and St. Mary's College. Always a Dragon and a Gael at heart, he maintained close ties to both schools and many alumni friends throughout his life.
Rich proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman, stationed aboard the USS Wantuck and at Tripler Hospital on Oahu, HI. He later embarked on a successful business career, starting at IBM in 1961, moving to commercial real estate in the mid-1970s and, finally, establishing his own consulting company, The Masar Company, in the late 1980s.
Always active in his community, Rich coached basketball, baseball and football to a generation of East Bay boys and girls, was a founding member of the MOL Football League, volunteered regularly at Special Olympics events and supported youth programs and fundraising activities in the DC Capital region. Rich loved the Raiders, the A's, spirited political debates, impossibly hard crossword puzzles, pick-up basketball games, a good read and creating daily email mischief with friends and family. His sharp humor, positive spirit and unique way of looking at the world will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rich's name to the Special Olympics or the American Diabetes Assoc. A celebration of Rich's life will be held in mid-July.
This obituary is courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle.