Richard Dean Marling

Dear Marcia, Wally, Diana, Anna and Marling family,
We are saddened to hear of Dick's passing. It was a highlight of our holidays the several years you 2 stopped in to visit and catch up with our growing family when you 'came to town' at Christmastime. Dick was a great guy, a good friend, and he will be missed by many. With love,

Like all those who knew him, I was diminished by the news of his passing. I wasn't even aware of his illness over the past few years and only wish that I'd been able to tell Dick how much he meant to me before his passing. The Marling saddle was just one of the tributes that I was able to offer as a lasting legacy to the influence that Dick had on me when I first founded Sierra Moreno Mercantile.

Dick was so blessed to have met and married Marcia. The annual travelogues of their...

My memories of Dick include the twinkle in his eyes while visiting with friends and associates each year at the Western Chapter and other ISA events. He was such a great ambassador to us youngins when we were just starting many moons ago. He will be missed, but his spirit continues in all of us tree folk.

Dear Marcia: We in San Mateo are greatly saddened by Dick's passing. He left an outstanding legacy of park improvements and tree preservation practices that changed the landscape of San Mateo for generations. We all have wonderful membories of Dick that will remain with us forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your familly.

Warm Regards,
Sheila

Marci: My sincerest sympathy in your grief over your dearest Dick. I will always remember how happy you both looked together. I also remember the good old times at the City of San Mateo working closely with Dick on many projects. I have have learned many things from Dick about trees and also from his successors who he fed knowledge to. So he lives on through the many people he touched and those who will continue to touch others.

I worked with Dick when we were employed by the Davey Tree Surgery Co. in the earley 1950's.Dick was a loyal dedicated employee with considably more tree knowledge than most of us in those days.He was also the cleanest best dressed tree worker I have ever known.

Mr. Marling was my professor when I signed up for "Arboriculture" at the College of San Mateo in 1975. For five short years I ran into Richard at jamborees, CAA & ISA meetings, and arborist exams. Finally, he became my "boss" - well, he never lorded it over me - - Dick always dangled the carrot on the proverbial stick as if just for me! [But we all know he was rooting for all of us (pun intended!)!] He made a major impression for me with his answer when a citizen asked if we should prune...

I only had the opportunity to work for Dick for 2 1/2 years. He provided me my first real municipal opportunity in California after moving here from Illinois, and he showed a lot of faith in me. He was a great mentor and boss. I learned so much from him and met so many other influential people in the tree care industry such as Keith Davey and Leslie Mayne. His years with Davey Tree and City of San Mateo have influenced many people in the tree care profession. He was involved in the CAA,...

I had just moved to California from Boston. I was a working for Davey Tree, and met Richard at a CAA Meeting in Redwood City. I did not know Richard well, but it is always sad to see a good arborist pass away.