Richard Thomas Sinclair D.D.S.

1920 - 2015

Richard Thomas Sinclair, D.D.S.
February 23, 1920 ~ February 28, 2015
Carmel Valley, CA
Dick left us last Saturday at the age of 95, after a long and interesting life. Although born in Farson, Iowa, as the only child of Barney and Nota Sinclair, the family eventually relocated to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where Dick had many happy memories of hunting and fishing. Graduating from Klamath Union High, he went on to Sacramento Junior College and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Biological Sciences. During summer breaks, Dick was a train engineer, riding the rails of Southern Oregon. At OSU, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, where he participated in the usual college mischief. He continued on to the University of Southern California to attend dental school. As a student, he joined the army and served during WWII and the Korean War.
In 1944, Dick married Beverly Low Siemens. They moved to Los Angeles so that he could attend dental school at USC. Upon graduating, Dick first practiced in Tulelake, California, where potatoes and chickens were often payment for his services. He was recalled to service in 1951 and spent two years in Germany, providing dental services to the troops. In 1953, he was discharged at Fort Ord and began his dental practice in Seaside. There he practiced for 37 years, with his former ATO brother, Ira S. DuPratt.
Long time Carmel Valley residents, Dick and Bev raised four children, Robert, Randall, Meredith and Richard, Jr. Both parents were constant attendants at their children's baseball and football games, whether at home or on the road.
Dick took part in a number of community activities. For many years he volunteered his dentistry skills for individuals at Natividad Hospital. He also served on the advisory board to the Carmel Valley Planning Commission.
Dick had a wide variety of outdoor interests including fishing, hunting, horseback riding, pistol and skeet shooting. A long time member of the Carmel Associated Sportsmen, he served as the president for a number of years. Upon his retirement, he took up woodworking and carving.
Those who knew him will miss his quick smile, sense of humor, willingness to help those he was closest to and his strong sense of honesty.
He is survived by his three sons and daughter, son-in-law Bill Homyak, granddaughter Danielle (Chris) and step-grandson Gregory (Vanessa).
The family would like to thank Dr. Glen Hudgens for his compassion and care, Heartland Hospice for their caring advisement, and Reach Out for assisting the family in the final hours.
We will all miss Dick.