Richard Ian "Dick" Symons

1936 - 2025

Richard Ian Symons, 89, of Morgan Hill and South Lake Tahoe, California passed away on November 2, 2025.

Dick was born to parents Henry and Sally Symons in San Francisco. Following graduation from Burlingame High School he enlisted in the Navy and for a three-year tour of the Pacific with training as a Fire Controlman who worked with fire control systems, which include radar, missile, and gun systems, and are responsible for the electronics involved in targeting and engaging enemy threats.

Upon discharge he married Susan Eliel in Chicago. Dick and Sue went on to have four daughters, Elizabeth, Nancy, Juli, and Yvonne.

Dick worked at IBM for 33 years as a programmer and analyst traveling from San Jose, Connecticut, New Jersey, Thousand Oaks, and Morgan Hill and retired in Morgan Hill.

Dick was involved with dog showing. He and his wife showed Belgian Tervuren in dog obedience, tracking, agility, and confirmation. His dogs had titles from Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda, making them international Champion UDT (top obedience title) dogs. Dick also had the dogs certified as therapy dogs and volunteered for years taking his dogs to local hospitals. Dick's commitment to dogs was so strong he taught dog obedience for over 40 years in the San Jose area. He is respected in the dog community by students and dog trainers.

The great outdoors called to Dick, and he spent endless hours roaming around his two and half acre property in Morgan Hill gardening. And after his dogs received their tracking titles, he volunteered to lay track for other dog enthusiasts so that their dogs could accomplish what his dogs could.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Sally. He is survived by his sisters, Patrica Nicholson from San Francisco, Elizabeth Symons from South Lake Tahoe, Nancy Regan from Sun City, AZ, Juli Pywell and Yvonne Graser of Roseville; his eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and Yetti (his last dog).