Richard Brown Markus

Palm Desert - Richard B. Markus, best known to everyone who knew him as Dick, died early October 29th at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. He was 98 years old and had been living in the Palm Springs area for for more than a decade. During that time he lived in Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Palm Desert.

Born in St. Paul, MN in 1927, Dick moved with his parents Susan and Norbert Markus and his older brother Bill to Winnetka, IL in 1934. Eight years later, the family moved on to Haverford, PA, before Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was trained as an aviation mechanic in the aftermath of WW II. He went on to earn a degree at Princeton University in 1949 before settling near his parents in Haverford.

He worked for the investment banking firm of Smith Barney in Philadelphia through the 1950's before transferring to San Francisco where he opened a new Smith Barney branch office. Dick went on to live and thrive in the Bay Area for most of his working life, while his entrepreneurial efforts also took him to Houston, TX and Long Beach and Laguna, CA.

Always surrounded by friends, he came into his own in San Francisco when he embraced his gay identity and other joys of West Coast life. He loved to play tennis and snow ski. He once sailed as a crewman with friends across the Pacific to Tahiti. Perhaps his greatest passions were singing, dancing and music. In the '70's and '80's, he was an habitué in the discos and dance clubs of San Francisco's Castro district. He also performed in singing groups throughout his life. Not least when he joined San Francisco's Bohemian Club where he was an active and influential member for many years.

In addition to his parents, Dick had a close family bond with his brother Bill and Bill's wife Joan as well as their three children, David, Susan, and Steven. He was also a big favorite with grand nieces and nephews Lucien, Zoe, Mikaela, Cara, Miles, Joe, India and Jack, for whom Uncle Dick was a steady source of fun and very cool holiday gifts.

Decades-long friendships with former colleague and investment banker Patricia Howe and her family, one-time partner Brian Rigg, housemate and tennis partner Brad Hasper, and steadfast pal and occasional chauffeur Jim Perry were all near and dear to his heart.

In his later Palm Springs years, he had a close group of friends he called his "Bridge Buddies" with whom he played cards every week and enjoyed many a laugh. The consensus was his bridge-playing skills were exceeded only by his love for his many Palm Springs amigos.

He was also a creative force in the kitchen, where his go-to dish was beef stroganoff. He loved crossword puzzles, which he tackled daily, always with a pen. And unlike many in his generation, he enjoyed puttering around the internet, where he brought himself up-to-date on news, politics and culture, until his disdain for our current president prompted him to look elsewhere for intellectual satisfaction.

In 98 stimulating years, his positivity, humor and optimism never flagged. He was fun, funny, and always an inspiration for a good time. Now and for years to come, his memory will be cherished and celebrated by all who knew and loved him.