Richard A. Wenrich

Richard A. Wenrich, 76, of Brookings, passed away July 2, 2011, at his home at Whaleshead Resort, near Brookings.

Richard was born Feb. 9, 1935, in Glendale, Calif., to Winfred and Annetta Marion Jorgenson Wenrich. 

Following high school and service in the U.S. Army Reserve, Richard began his higher education at University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. While there, he played percussion in the university’s band and was able to march in the Rose Parade. He graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He later also attended one year at Sacramento State.

He married Sandra Swett Aug. 7, 1976, in Claremont, Calif. 

The couple moved to Brookings in 2003. 

Richard worked as an accountant for most of his career, and even returned annually to Sacramento after his move to Brookings to aid his clients. In Sacramento, Richard continued playing percussion for and traveling with the Sacramento Symphonic Concert Band. 

Richard was a lifetime member of the NRA and the spouse of an Elk. He enjoyed guns, fishing (he even caught two 35-pound salmon on the Rogue River), building and design. He also loved the beautiful and scenic Oregon coastline.

Survivors include his bride Sandra Lynn of Whaleshead; daughters Deanna Lyn Keihle of Barberton, Ohio, Barbara Kaye Thaler of Lancaster, Calif.; sons William H. Hunt Jr. of Temecula, Calif., Kenneth Charles Hunt of Citrus Heights, Calif., and Robert Allen Wenrich of Langä, Denmark; sister Linda Wenrich of Whaleshead. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  

Richard was preceded in death by his son Michael F. Murphy in 1994 and a son-in-law, Bryant Keihle.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday,  Aug. 20, at Elks Lodge 2103, 5631 Cypress Ave.,  Carmichael, Calif.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.

Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel.