Richard L. Carpenter

Richard passed away on February 14, 2026. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, sister Carol and grandson Evan.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago. There he met his beloved Jean Elizabeth Davidson at a high school dance. After serving in the US Air Force, Sta Sargent Carpenter married Jean, and they started their 60-year journey together. Upon completion of his electrical engineering degree from University of Illinois Champaign Urbana, during which Steven and David were born, they were o to Arizona for his new job at Hughes Aviation and Space Company. Five years later, Mary and Anne were added to the family, and it was time to head to southern California and a new position at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. Douglas joined the brood in Santa Maria. Soon thereafter the crew relocated to Northern California where Richard continued to work for LMSC for the next 30 years.

His work at LMSC was always shrouded in mystery, and he held it all close to the the vest til the end. We do know that when he would return from a work trip to destination unknown, we could surmise from the cuckoo clocks and beer steins that he had been to Germany and Austria again. And somehow, he was always able to squeeze in a trip to Kitzbuhel to ski. He loved tennis, scuba diving, and backpacking. We kids thank him for the countless trips to Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows and Desolation Wilderness. At the time we were jealous of kids that got hotel trips, but now we all cherish the memories of those adventures.

With the recent loss of his beloved brother-in-law Doug Davidson and sister-in-law Barb Davidson, he couldn't wait any longer to get to the Heavenly party joining Carol, her husband George, and all the Davidson clan. He is survived by his 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, 24 Davidson nieces and nephews and 4 Weber nieces and nephews.

As a Davidson cousin noted, he was a gentle giant. He will always be in our hearts.

Memorial service planned for July in Lake Tahoe where he will be interred with Jean. Information to follow.