Richard Louis Aubert

1932 - 2024

Richard "Dick" Aubert, 91 of St. Helena, California, passed away March 24,2024, after a short battle with lymphoma. He was born in Niagara Falls, New York, to Frank and Angeline (Micucci) Aubert on August 22, 1932. The oldest of 5 brothers and sisters, the family relocated to San Jose, California, where Dick developed his lifelong passIon for cars, airplanes and the military.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and served during the Korean War aboard the USS Boxer, assigned to Helicopter Utility Squadron ONE. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to the US to begin his college education.

He attended the University of Utah, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. While at Utah, he enjoyed skiing, golfing and creating cocktails in the student lab for his many friends, including Alice Banik, who later became his wife of 58 years (married March 22, 1958 in Salt Lake City, Utah. )

The couple returned to California, where they settled in Sacramento, eventually starting their family, Mark in 1961 and Alessandra (Sanni) in 1965. Here they started the journey of being business owners, starting with a small pharmacy and eventually adding a Hallmark store.

Dick's background in chemistry and love of wine eventually led the family to St. Helena, where in 1974, Dick bought a hillside lot, built the family home and planted a Cabernet vineyard, which he later bottled under the Rockland Road Cellars label. Dick continued with his love of owning small businesses and opened Calistoga Drug, a long time staple in the community. Dick was a well known fixture in Calistoga, known for his friendly advice, warmth and giving nature.

Upon retirement, Dick truly enjoyed spending time with his close circle of friends, playing "competitive" bocci on Monday nights, meeting for weekly coffee and monthly lunches. He reignited his passion for restoring old cars and participated in many of the local car shows and parades. He found a special friend and travel companion in Mary O'Leary, and they enjoyed road trips and listening and dancing to all genres of music.

Richard is survived by his daughter Alessandra (Jeff) Siglin of Bellingham, Washington, son Mark (Teresa) Aubert and two grandchildren, Lauren and Jeff.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.