Charles Allan Rich

1952 - 2025

Charles Allan Rich

July 18, 1952 - January 14, 2025

West Sacramento, California - Charles "Chuck" Allan Rich was born at a small Catholic hospital in Loup City, Nebraska. He was the second child born to a family deeply rooted in Sherman County, Nebraska. At the age of six, an opportunity for a better life in California became available and the family of four moved west, landing in Sacramento, California.

Chuck excelled at science and math and was even able to attend space camp while enrolled at Mira Loma High School. He graduated high school and moved on to American River College. After completing his GE courses, Chuck was able to enter UC Davis as an upperclassman and after some debate chose to pursue a degree in civil engineering.

At 21 years old, he became a student assistant with the State of California at the Water Resources Control Board. Not only did Chuck manage a foothold into a job, but he also found the love of his life in Anna Eufrazia. They would go on to marry in 1974 and remained married until his death 50 years later. The marriage produced two daughters who were the lights of Chuck's life.

He would spend his early adult years traveling the western United States with his wife and daughters, showing them the beautiful nature of California, the Pacific Northwest, and eventually taking them east to his birthplace. Chuck would also go on to travel the Alaskan Highway with his parents, a bucket list item that he would rave about even years after they had passed away.

After 38 years of employment, Chuck retired from the State of California as chief of the complaints section for the Department of Water Rights and could be found on the American River bike trail with his best friend, Mark. A day of riding could easily clock over 40 miles on his odometer. He also continued with his passion for California water rights as a teacher for several years with the UC Davis extension classes as an instructor.

At the age of 70, Chuck was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but even that did not slow him down. Not until he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer did any of his hobbies change, and even then, he was still watching the Nebraska Huskers football team on a tiny hospital television.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Carol Rich, and his older brother Richard Rich. He is survived by his wife Anna Rich, his daughters, Laurie (Matthew) Gleason and Kelly (Kevin) Hoppin, his granddaughters Emily and McKinley Gleason, a younger brother John (Denise) Rich, and multiple in-laws, nephews, nieces and friends.

A private inurnment at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery is scheduled for February 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. with a public memorial to follow at the Irmandade de Nossa Senhora Capela at 2117 5th Street, Sacramento scheduled for 2 p.m. All who loved Chuck are invited to attend.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to a charity of your choosing.