Richard Wentworth Vohs

1940 - 2022

Richard Wentworth Vohs
Aug 14, 1940 - April 17, 2022
Resident of Albany
Richard died in his sleep in the early morning of April 17, Easter Sunday, at the age of 82. He was born in San Francisco, CA to Richard Linz and Frances Ellen Vohs. He grew up in Berkeley and took the Key System to San Francisco each day to attend Lick Wilmerding High School. Richard graduated in 1961 from the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA as a fully qualified Merchant Marine Deck Officer. For 40 years he travelled the globe navigating countless U.S. Flag cargo ships.
In 1973 he met Judy Evans on a Sierra Club hike on Mt. Tamalpias and they married in 1975. They adopted and raised two beautiful daughters, Lucy and Jessica in Albany, CA. Richard was a life long member of the Catholic Church and attended services each Sunday, no matter where he was in the world. He was on the maintenance crew at St. Ambrose Church in Berkeley, CA and was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at both St. Ambrose and St. Mary Magdalene churches.
From as early as anyone can remember he loved books, reading and had an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He always carried paper and a pen in his pocket to take notes and write down questions or words he didn't know, to look up later. He was an avid stamp collector, filling the house with stamps from all over the world. He was a proud member of the East Bay Stamp Club and the Diablo Valley Stamp Club. As with finding a church wherever he would go, he would also seek out local stamp stores, befriending philatelists all over the world. For many years he enjoyed working as an Alameda County Election Official.
Richard was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Jessica Vohs and Lucy Vohs Yearout, son-in-law Willie Yearout and granddaughters Zoey and Bailey. He is also survived by his beloved sister Victoria Corbell, brother-in-law Brian Corbell, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Richard was charitable, and never asked for anything in return. He spent much of his adult life volunteering to help the poor and always championed the underdog. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Public visitation will be held at Sunset View Mortuary in El Cerrito, CA from 3 - 5 pm on Thurs. 4/28, with a Vigil prayer service and rosary being held at 4 pm. A funeral mass of resurrection will also be held in Richard's honor at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Berkeley, CA on Fri. 4/29 at 10 am followed immediately by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette, CA.


View the online memorial for Richard Wentworth Vohs