Richard Belding

Richard Merrill Belding

Resident of Santa Clara

Aug. 25, 1927 - Oct. 7, 2010

Passed away peacefully with his wife and granddaughter at his bedside due to complications of Alzheimer's disease. Born in San Jose he is preceded in death by his only son, David Merrill Belding in 2001 and is survived by his loving wife, Joyce, and her children Michael and Patricia, grandchildren, Emily, Marissa, Rachel, Shannon and Michael, great-grandchildren Max, Harper, Oliver and Mason, his sister Marily Reinker and nieces Robin and Sharon and nephew Roger.

Dick, born in San Jose, was on the student council at Washington High School in Centerville, played varsity football and was voted All City. After graduation he joined the Merchant Marines and sailed around South America. He then joined the Army and attended San Jose State University on the GI Bill. After a short attendance at Hastings Law School in San Francisco he decided to work at General Motors Acceptance Corporation. He worked inn reposessions and had some interesting stories to tell. He married his first wife, Beverly, and they had a son, David in 1962. They separated in 1966 after he moved back to San Jose from San Francisco. Dick married second wife Joyce in August, 1969 bringing David into the marriage to her home in Santa Clara with her 2 children. He then traveled to several States and Canada as a auditor for G.M.A.C. and retired after 30 years in 1990, a Dealer Relations Supervisor in San Jose valued and respected by all.

After retirement he enjoyed fishing with friends and taking his son David in his boat to Moss Landing bringing home their catch of Salmon. A descendant of Johnny Appleseed Dick enjoyed starting seedlings and working in his vegetable gardens. Joyce is a descendant of Luther Burbank so they made a good gardening pair. Riding on his tractor at their Saratoga Property they call 'Allendale'. Dick always had a smile for his grandchildren playing nearby. He sprayed and pruned his fruit trees and puttered around digging and fixing, resting and working. That was his Bliss, in the shade of a tree with his white cat, Romeo, sleeping on his lap. He was a quiet man, he was a good man. He was loved and he will be missed.

Arrangements were with the Neptune Society and his ashes will be deposited with his son Davids in the Family Plot at Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga with a private family gathering.