Joel Hiram Richert

Joel Hiram Richert, first generation Californian and 57-year resident of Los Altos Hills, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2023 of natural causes at the blessed age of 99 years.
Joel was born in 1924 and raised near the farming community of Reedley, in the Central Valley of California, the fourth of six children into a humble, loving Mennonite family. From a young age, Joel learned the value of hard work and working toward a goal. He was an inspiring and creative problem-solver and leader, an avid lover of history and of keeping a journal to document his own history. He dreamed of becoming a world traveler and adventurer, and developed a sincere faith that his Creator in Heaven will be the ultimate one to decide his fate.
In 1942, during his first semester of college, Joel was drafted in the Army and was sent to study pre-med and engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and medical school at the University of Illinois. He was in the Army Medical Corps for 22 years beginning with service in a Korean MASH unit. Over his career, he saw patients, conducted medical research, taught medicine, held offices in professional organizations, and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. While stationed in Japan, California, Colorado, and Washington D.C., Joel and his first wife Beverly Jewett Richert, had four children and made many lifelong friendships.
After retiring from the Army in 1966 as a Lt. Colonel, Joel, age 42, settled his family in Los Altos Hills, CA, and joined a private medical practice in Fremont, CA. He and his family welcomed many international students into the family home over the years-a cultural exchange that led to many more lifelong friendships.
Beverly died unexpectedly in 1991. In 1996, Joel married the second love of his life, Ruth Foley. Always an enthusiastic traveler, he and Ruth made many road trips together throughout the United States, including a trip to Europe that was originally scheduled to depart on September 11, 2001!
To help his seven grandchildren experience America and the wide world, Joel invited them, three at a time, on national and international "Corps of Discovery" trips. He also started a "Vignette" club to encourage them to practice writing skills and share their own memories. They earned $25 for each vignette submitted. He archived them unedited on a CD.
Joel was predeceased by his first wife Beverly (1991) and son James Michael (1954). He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his children: Ruthann (Joyce) Richert, Cynthia (David) Krimmel, John Richert, and Carol (Mario) Hug; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; and Ruth's children: Terry (Jane) Foley, Tim (Leilani) Foley, Susan (Dan) Kane, and Maureen (John) Ferreira.
A Memorial Service will be held
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Union Presbyterian Church
858 University Ave, Los Altos, CA 94024
Suggested donations in lieu of flowers:
Help One Child: www.helponechild.org
Los Altos History Museum: www.losaltoshistory.org
Habitat for Humanity: www.habitat.org