Richard Allen Whitney

On February 12, 2024, our beloved Richard (Dick) Allen Whitney, 70, went to be with the Lord unexpectedly with family at his side. His memory, life, and legacy will remain in the hearts and minds of his family and friends forever. Richard Allen Whitney was born on September 4, 1953 to Leslie Valentine and Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Whitney in Dickenson, N. Dakota, and was a joyful and beautiful addition to his dearly loved sisters, Teresa Dakota and DeVonne Lee. After a move to Orange County, CA in 1956, the family then relocated to Goleta, CA in 1960, where Leslie Elizabeth was born just two years later. While in Goleta, Richard began his genuine lifelong love for animals when he got his first dog Tippy. Richard and Tippy were inseparable, and one of the most common memories were Tippy following Richard on his walks down to the beach as a child. Much to his mother’s dismay, Richard was innately compassionate and tender hearted towards animals, and would always pick up strays. His father, a union bricklayer, taught Richard his craft at a very early age, and as the years went by, many of the jobs they completed can still be seen all over California today. At the age of 18, Richard followed his dreams and moved to Hawaii to join his sister DeVonne. While there, he lived life, surfed and spear fished all the while working on a sugar cane plantation to pay his bills. Throughout his life, his love for the islands and the culture never ceased. In 1975 Richard married his first wife Cynthia, and the newlyweds welcomed their first-born son, Damian Richard just one year later in 1976. As Richard began the journey as a new husband and father, he realized how he never had a chance to know his own Grandparents as a child. This became the driving decision to bring his young family back to Goleta just one year later in 1977. Once back, Richard and Cynthia added to their family with the births of their two additional sons, Shawn Ryan in 1977, and Travis Wayne in 1979. Continuing in the footsteps and legacy of his father, Richard returned to work as a Brick Mason Apprentice for the Brick Layers and Allied Craftsman Union. Despite his long hours and demanding work schedule, Richard always made time to not just be in his boy’s life, but to be an active participant in all of their activities and hobbies. In 1986 Richard moved his family to the Santa Ynez Valley and purchased a home in Buellton where he lived out the remainder of his life. As a Brick Layer, Richard was successful in everything he did and was a committed member of the union for almost 50 years. He held many positions during his career in Local # 4 /5 before he retired in 2017 as Local #4 President, Secretary/Treasurer, President of the California State Conference, and Regional Vice President of the International Union Executive Council. In 1991, after 16 years together, Richard and Cynthia made the hard decision to end their marriage. Later that year, while attending his sister’s wedding in Colorado, Richard met his beloved Carla and the two began a relationship that would last the remainder of Richard’s life. After three years, the two married in 1994 and the Whitney’s became a blended family of 6 by adding two daughters (Janet Marie, and Sarretta Marie) and a son (Scott Andre). Richard’s family meant the world to him. He was very proud and loved them unconditionally. Richard was a man among men. He was hard working and full of wisdom; compassionate and approachable. He was generous in his knowledge and his time, and would try to help anyone in any way when called upon. Richard was no ordinary man; he was larger than life and always made you feel better by just being in his presence. He impacted everyone he came in contact with, and was a great leader & mentor to all. Richard could fix anything, and had a budding entrepreneurial spirit. Nothing was un-fixable and or impossible for him. He believed in gathering his family together and looked forward to his beloved annual family reunions. His favorite part was the bingo games played at the family campouts where he could give all of his Casino prizes to his kids and grandkids. He loved adventure, road trips, caravanning, and anything that had to do with the outdoors. Often, you would find him in his boat at Cachuma Lake fishing with family and friends, or underneath a car getting his hands dirty. He and his beloved wife Carla loved spending time together with their horses and developed lifelong friendships along the way. Richard always believed in giving back, and faithfully volunteered many hours to the Santa Ynez Therapeutic Riding Program where he touched the lives of many. He was a man from a generation who believed hard work, integrity and character meant something. He lived his life thinking of others greater than himself and you’d often hear him say, “leave a bigger pile of wood,” or “make sure and leave a place better than you found it.” Richard, became the President of the Santa Ynez Alano Club, where he had 33 years of sobriety. He volunteered with the secretary meetings, sponsored people in the program and enjoyed speaking at the Saturday night meetings where his testimony and transparency inspired the life change of many who heard it. Some of his favorite things to do was plan the Men’s annual Stag Camp Out, and coordinate special events such as the Fourth of July and Christmas Parties. Richard Allen Whitney is survived by his beloved wife: Carla, children: Damian (Laura), Shawn (Amber), Travis (Michelle), Janet, Sarretta & Scott. grandchildren: Joseph (Bry), Ashleigh, Taylor, Kyser, Jordan, Elijah, Nevaeh, Cash, Emiko, Addison, Cassidy, Reed, & Mason, sisters: DeVonne, Leslie (Gary), and endeared nieces & nephews. Preceded in death: father (Les), mother (Betty), sister (Teresa), grandson (Joshua). In lieu of flowers, donations to the Santa Ynez Valley SAlano Club, Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program or Santa Barbara Humane Center would be appreciated. . CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2024, 12:30PM to 3:30PM @ Rancho de Maria Park, located at 223 Shadow Mountain Dr., Buellton, CA 93427 May we live our lives in a way that honors him and his legacy.

Richard Allen Whitney

September 4, 1953 - February 12, 2024