Richard Arthur Corwin

1929 - 2017

Richard Arthur Dick' Corwin January 23, 1929 - November 17, 2017 La Jolla On November 17, 2017, La Jolla lost a larger than life man, Richard Arthur Corwin. He passed away from a short battle with pneumonia at 88 years of age. Fondly referred to as "Dick" Corwin, he was born in 1929 in San Jose, CA, the son of Ruth Corwin and Gordon W. Corwin, a Californian state assemblyman from the 73rd District. Dick Corwin grew up in Redlands, CA and attended Redlands High School through his junior year. He graduated his senior year of high school from the Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad with the class of 1947. He went on to attend U.C. Berkeley where he received a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1954. He was a member of Cal Del Rey Fraternity and played football as wide receiver for the university. At the time the Korean War broke out, Dick served as a corporal in the Army for two years. He was stationed in Germany and tasked with working on wartime radar. Upon his return from service he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life which lasted for over 50 years, Henrietta Tracy Algra, on January 23, 1953.Dick started his professional career working for Bethlehem Steel Corporation as a salesman out of their Los Angeles office. From there, he used his honed corporate skills to break into the real estate business. Dick's initial foray as a real estate developer began through converting Redlands Orange Groves into Residential Housing a Real Estate Tycoon was born. He served as the president of the San Bernardino Board of Realty in 1968, and was elected regional vice president of the California Real Estate Association in 1971. Dick became a very successful commercial developer and developed many commercial shopping centers throughout Southern California and Arizona.Dick and his wife "Hank" moved to La Jolla in 1972, and made their home in the La Jolla Shores. There, they raised their three children and were very involved as local community members. He spent many evenings among friends as a longtime La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club member while enjoying many social activities and numerous favorite past times, including snow skiing, tennis, golf, traveling abroad and spending time with family and friends.Dick was an accomplished philatelist (stamp collector), receiving many awards and being given the honor to be a judge of his peers. His notoriety in this field was that of being a scholar, and his love of history culminated in his renowned American Civil War collection.After Hank's passing in 2003, Dick remarried a local San Diegan and the second love of his life, Lynn Dale, in 2008. They spent their later years traveling, attending Charger games and enjoying time together. Lynn quickly became a part of the Corwin family, participating in many family events until Lynn's passing in 2013. Dick had an amazing wit and maintained his sense of humor until the very end. He spent many of his last days walking the La Jolla Shores boardwalk and sharing his life stories and experiences. His life was rich with friends and experiences. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his younger brother, Gordon W. Corwin II; three children, Tracy L. Hogle (Michael), Sherry C. George (Joe), and William D. Corwin (Rachelle); and nine grandchildren: Stephanie, Tom, Nick, Maddy, Gigi, Cameron, Curtis, CeCe, and Colin. Dick's final resting place will be at Fort Rosecrans in Point Loma, where he will be interred with military honors, next to his wife, Hank Corwin.Dick will live in our hearts forever Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight .