Richard Gene Bordin

In his first life, he must have been a bee as this was his entire passion in life to raise, graft queens, make honey and take care of all the bees in the world. Richard left the bees and this world on October 7, 2025 at the age of 84. He farmed almonds with his father Victor Bordin Sr and mom Jean Bordin all his life in the Durham area. Richard attended Durham Elementary School and graduated from Durham High School where he was an FFA member all 4 years. Richard was FFA secretary and participated in FFA Parliamentary Procedure speech contests. He would wake up early, go to Chico State University where he graduated and majored in Agricultural business and Archaeology, graduating top of his class. He then would work all night moving bees into the almond orchards for pollination.

When Richard first started out at Durham High School, he would put the beehives he made in the trunk of his 55 Chevy car and haul them around to almond orchards for pollination. Richard's passion for raising bees became a full-time job. He had 6,200 hives which went to almond pollination in our local area to all the local farmers where he was known as the best beekeeper in the area. Without his great bees, the local almond farmers wouldn't have such an abundant almond crop year after year. Richard then would move the bees to the prunes for pollination and pollen build up, then off to Nevada for alfalfa honey production with his sister Marie. Richard and Marie would sell the honey to Sioux Bee, at farmers markets, and craft fairs. Richard and his sister Marie did 6 farmers markets a week from Durham to Sparks, NV and all the way down to San Diego. They raised the best Yellow super sweet corn by the bin full, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, cucumbers, honey, almonds, beeswax, beeswax candles, and much more.

Richard enjoyed talking to the local customers at farmers markets, educating them about farming and answering all of their questions, letting them know what vegetables would be coming into market soon. Many times setting them up with a hive or two and teaching them how to raise their own hives. The customers would come every week to chat about how their new hives were doing and how wonderful the produce was. Richard designed many machines to manufacture his own bee hives to sell and use on the ranch. He sold and delivered premade bee boxes, frames, and hive bodies all the way to Del Mar and the San Diego areas. Richard designed and manufactured his own heavy duty deckplate forklifts to move bees more efficiently and never got stuck in the mud!

Richard was a member of The Blue Diamond Almond Growers Association, Sioux Honey Association (35+ years), and The California Bee Breeders Association. He was an avid 49ers fan and went to every home game with his sister Marie. They attended several 49er Super Bowls together. He helped his nephew Joseph Huitt with Boy Scouts in building bird houses and any woodworking project his troop was doing in the woodshop, which led to helping Joseph to earn his Eagle Scout Award. Richard has been involved with the Patrick Ranch, showing and demonstrating how to make a bee beard and beeswax candles for their spring and summer events. Richard enjoyed doing the California Nut Festivals at the Patrick Ranch, where he brought yummy almonds and honey for people to sample and enjoy each year. He was helping with the bees museum project with Yvonne Koehnen – setting up old equipment in the museum for our next generations to enjoy! Richard enjoyed watching his nieces, Marie Huitt at rugby and swim competition events and Emily Huitt at her ballet recitals and Karate tournaments.

Until his very last days, he was making beehives, frames, and planting tomatoes, onions, garlic, strawberries, and potatoes in his solar greenhouse that he made for everyone to enjoy. Richard was mentoring his nephew Joseph and his friend Edgar to continue the bee business with all his great knowledge. He loved going to the farmers market to talk to his family and get all his fresh vegetables and fruit each week.

Richard has two sisters, Diane Bordin (deceased) and Marie Bordin-Huitt of Durham and two brothers, David Bordin of Durham and Victor Bordin JR of Oroville.

Memorial donations can be made in Richard's name to the HoneyBee Discovery Center at 727 4th St, Orland, CA 95963.

Visitation will be Thursday October 16 from 5-7PM, followed by a rosary service at Brusie Funeral Home. Funeral service and Mass will be held at 12PM on Friday, October 17 at St John the Baptist Catholic Church followed by a graveside service at Glen Oaks Memorial Park.