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Richard M. Sayles

1926 - 2013

Richard Sayles Obituary

Richard (Dick) M. Sayles
1926 - 2013

Many friends and former students will remember the "dancing marionettes" made in Newcastle 5th grade US History class, and the singing he led at the Christmas Programs. Dick loved teaching, especially USA History.
Born December 7,1926 in Oakland, California to Mignonette and Marshall Sayles, Dick grew up in Berkeley. He graduated from UC Berkeley, and later got his Masters Degree in Teaching from Chico State College. In 1949, he married Doris Jean McCann, and they moved to Chico, California. Later they moved to Auburn and then Newcastle with their family, where he served as Superintendent-Principal (including duties of business manager and vice principal) at Newcastle Elementary School from 1958 to 1978. He then switched to classroom teaching only, and retired from teaching at Newcastle School in 1987. Later, Dick and Doris moved to Auburn, where he resided when he died.
Dick was involved in many activities during his lifetime. Some of them included: teaching folk dancing with Doris; singing with the Auburn Barbershop group; helping to establish the Association of California School Administrators; serving as timekeeper/scorekeeper for Newcastle School basketball games after he retired; serving as a Board Member of Newcastle Fire Protection District and the Newcastle-Ophir Municipal Advisory Commission, and enjoying activities with fellow members of the Sons In Retirement. Family activities included yearly camping trips to DL Bliss, Sugar Pine Point, and other state parks, and vacations to see many areas of the western half of the US and lower part of two western Canadian provinces. He also was active in church activities and served as a Sergeant in the US Army in World War II. Dick and Doris loved traveling on the Mississippi River steamboat cruises and traveling to see many areas in the USA and Canada.
Dick is survived by his sister and her husband, Dorothy and Robert R. Gaines; and brother-in law, Robert L. Benham; his children: Mary J. Sayles, Alan McCann-Sayles and his wife Sarah, and Peggy and James Durfee; his grandchildren: Sara Durfee, and Daniel and MeiLi McCann-Sayles. In addition, he has a cousin and nieces and nephews throughout California, and in Colorado. His wife, Doris, preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be held on September 14, 2013 at 2 p.m., in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church of Loomis, at 6414 Brace Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Richard and Doris Sayles Family Scholarship Fund at Placer Community Foundation online at www.placercf.org or by mail to P.O. Box 9207, Auburn, CA 95604.

Published by Gold Country Media Newspapers on Jun. 26, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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Dear Mary, Peggy, and Alan: Our family is thinking of you and remembering all the good times we all had at Newcastle school with your dad. He made all of those years fun and memorable for me as a teacher and our kids as students there.

Marianne Robertson

July 12, 2013

sorry to hear of Dicks passing rest in piece. Willie Slade a barber in Newcastle a long time ago.

willie slade

July 3, 2013

Sorry for your lost. May the family find comfort in God's word the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16

Cheryl

June 29, 2013

The God of comfort is near to those that are broken at heart, and promises us that he will undo all the effects of death, and remove death itself.

irene rev.21:4

June 27, 2013

Dear Mary, Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Have not seen you in a long time but we were honored to know your Mom and Dad and you. Bless you at this difficult time. May you have peace knowing what a wonerful daughter you have been. BennIe Gee (Foothill Oaks nurse)

Benette Gee

June 26, 2013

Dick sang with the Sierranaders Barbershop Chorus in Auburn in the mid 1960's. I was his chorus director and I know he loved to sing. He was a faithful and hard working member. I haven't seen him for a few years, but I will miss him. Here's a photo of him standing third from the left in the front row of the chorus.

Roger Perkins

June 26, 2013

Dear Mary & Family, May your wonderful dad RIP ~ his dignity was immeasurable and I am honored to have known him.
With Sympathy~

June 26, 2013

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