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Richard Fichtner Obituary
Sept. 16, 1939 - April 17, 2018
Dick Fichtner passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with bone cancer and Alzheimer's. He was a loving husband to Barbara and a supportive father to Scott Fichtner (Rachel), Michelle Wright (Pride), Brian Fichtner (Eve), and Greg Fichtner.
Dick grew up a proud Hoosier in Indiana where he was a stand-out athlete for the Batesville Bulldogs. Sixty years after his graduation, he still holds the school's 20th all-time career scoring leader for basketball. Dick was recruited to attend West Hills College of Coalinga, where he played four sports. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame for basketball, baseball, football, and tennis. Dick went on to pursue his studies and athletics at UC Santa Barbara, where he was captain of the baseball team. There, Dick met his wife of 55 years, Barbara Gabel.Together they went on to teach, coach, and raise four children. Dick first coached football, basketball, and baseball at Occidental College, then basketball at the University of the Pacific. He was honored to have the championship 1979 Tigers team inducted into the Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame. After 20 years of coaching, Dick provided color commentary for radio and TV broadcasts for UOP men's and women's basketball games. He became an avid golfer and served as President of the Stockton Golf and Country Club.
In retirement, Dick took special joy in attending the games and events of his ten grandchildren: Nicholas, Madeline, Jessica, Hannah, Ethan, Nathan, Katie, Andrew, Noah, and Nina.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Kathryn Fichtner, and his sisters Arlyn Sorce and Judy Schutte. He is survived by sisters Darla Benz (Hughie), Ella Laker (Dan), Mary Mays, and brother Dan Fichtner, all of Batesville, IN.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at the Church of the Presentation,1515 W. Benjamin Holt Drive, Stockton, CA 95207, his church for 45 years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of San Joaquin or Pacific Tiger Basketball.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Fichtner
2 Entries
Tim Will
April 23, 2018
I will always be indebted to Coach Fichtner. I looked up to him not only as a Coach, but as a Father figure who knew the right way to live one's life. He was a dedicated family man who took a lonely, lost college freshman into his house and shared his wonderful family. I can still picture Coach, Mrs. Fictner, and the little kids so polite and welcoming, when they invited me to dinner. The world will miss you, as will I. My thoughts are with you Barbara, Scott, Michelle, Brian and Greg.
STAN MORRISON
April 21, 2018
Rest in peace dear friend. What a wonderful assistant you were, working with fine young men every day for the Tigers. They appreciated you as did everyone in the profession of basketball coaching. Stay down in your stance. Cut off the baseline. Close out with knees flexed and hands high. Hit the deck for loose balls and block out on the boards. You have always been a winner and will always be exactly that to those of us who know and love you. Carry on . . . Stan Morrison
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