Richard Hiroshi O'BRIEN

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Davis High School

Richard O'BRIEN Obituary

O'BRIEN, Richard Hiroshi
Son of Lisa Yamauchi and Michael O'Brien, of Davis, died Saturday, February 13, 2010 in a skiing accident, in Dayton, Washington. He was nineteen years old. Born in Woodland, on December 16, 1990, Richard moved with his family to Davis in 1994. He attended Davis High School where he played alto saxophone for the jazz band and competed as an avid member of the ski team. Blessed with a special ability to connect with children, Richard tutored students at Davis Bridge, and also volunteered at Grace in Action, a ministry serving the homeless. He graduated from Davis High School in 2009. At the time of his death, Richard was a freshman at Whitman College, in Walla Walla, Washington. A beloved fellow student and member of the Whitman ski team, Richard made an impact on the campus in inverse proportion to his short time there. At a memorial service organized by the students in his honor, hundreds gathered to eulogize him as an inspirational figure. Richard lived his life with an exuberance and kindness that touched the lives of all those he met. A memorial service will be held on February 27th, at 11 a.m., at Freeborn Hall, UC Davis. A reception will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Davis Bridge Educational Foundation, 1400 East 8th Street, Davis, CA., 95616. Richard Hiroshi O'Brien is survived by his maternal grandfather, Hiroshi Yamauchi of Woodland; his maternal grandmother Jerrie O'Brien, of Auburn; his parents, Lisa Yamauchi and Michael O'Brien, of Davis; and his brother, Kevin O'Brien, of Davis.

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Published by The Sacramento Bee on Feb. 23, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard O'BRIEN

15 Entries

Kevin Francis MacDonald

October 9, 2021

I was hiking this beautiful crisp fall day and came across Richard´s memorial bench. What a great tribute to someone who was so special and loved.

Georgia

February 13, 2012

I miss you so much, it has been two years now but we miss you just as much.

Georgia Eugenides

January 31, 2011

I miss you so much Richard. I hope you are happy wherever you are.

Tami Moy

March 16, 2010

Dear Dr. and Mrs. O'Brien and Kevin,

I'm a patient of Dr. O'Brien.

I read about the accident and didn't put it together until Dr. O'Brien told me last week.

My deepest sympathies. I wish I was at the Memorial service. I heard it was a beautiful service and that other members of the ski team attended.

Richard was about the same age as my youngest son (who is also a patient of Dr. O'Brien). I told my son about the accident.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Daniel

March 14, 2010

does anyone know where i can get a film of his memorial service? I really wish i had been there. Please email me- [email protected]

March 3, 2010

Dear Dr. & Mrs. O'Brien, & Richard, Our heartfelt condolences to your family. Dr. O'Brien, we have never had the pleasure to meet your fine wife and sons, but your anecdotes and family photos inside your office made it feel, in retrospect, that we kept tabs on all of our children growing up! We are truly filled with sorrow, most sincerely, The Garboushian Family,

Donner

March 2, 2010

A song of Donner
Fictitiously by Richard

I know a song of Donnrr
Of the evergreen pine
Of the setting sun reveals itself over its water
Of the memories of my family and friends
And the cabin of laughter and crying within
Of the winters snow
and my name which I sign on her slopes
I know a song of Donner

But does Donner know a song of me?
Will the wind on the lake glide and skip across her as I once did?
As the osprey flies up from the lake will they think of me in flight?
Amongst the family games and laughter, will you hear my voice too?
Should the new blanket of snow miss my return?
Does the sunset over the mountain tops throw a color that was once mine?
When the evening wind rustles through the trees will they know it is me?

Marilee Richter Marsh

February 28, 2010

Lisa,
Carol just called me after returning from Mexico and I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Carol was in tears and sorry she couldn't be with you yesterday. I had heard about the accident and didn't know it was your son. I can't express how sorry I am for you and your family. I believe Richard is with your mom and looking down on your family, so I hope that gives you some peace.
You have been a great and best friend to Carol and our family truely loves you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you! Love you, Marilee

Christine Chavez

February 27, 2010

To Richard's Family:

I heard of your tragic loss through the family of Sterling Melcher. I am so very sorry. I have two young boys and cannot comprehend the depth of your sorrow. Your family is in my prayers. My father in law used to work for All West and drove the Davis Ski team regularly. I remember him talking about his trips with them, so I mentioned Richard's passing. Greg went on and on about the commitment and dedication of the parents and students on the ski team, siting numerous examples of the things he admired and respected. Again, your family is in my prayers. My deepest sympathy goes out to you.

February 27, 2010

Dear Lisa, Michael & Kevin, I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of your wonderful son and brother. My prayers and deepest condolences to you and your family. With much aloha, Mari Ono-Kurahara (Honolulu, HI)

Mari Ono

February 27, 2010

MJ Nealon

February 27, 2010

Lisa , Michael and Kevin,
We were sorry to hear of the accidental death of your son and brother.
It is difficult to understand. Time heals, take the time to heal the huge hole in your heart by remembering the wonderful though brief time you had as a family. Our prayers are with you at this very sorowful time. We were unable to get to the service as we were minding some of our ten grandchildren. May you find comfort knowing those far and wide are thinking of you.
Love,
MJ and Dan Nealon

Cindy Burger

February 24, 2010

Richard was such a special gift to all of us at Grace in Action. I will miss his sweet, sweet spirit among us, but I know he is at peace and his spirit lives on in each person who was blessed to have known him. My deepest and most heartfelt love and sympathy is extended to his mother Lisa, his father Michael, brother Kevin and all of his extended family and friends.

Russell Pleasants

February 23, 2010

I want to say how sorry and sad I am to hear about the O'Brien family loss.
Watching Richard ski was special. As a Gatekeeper during his four years on the DHS Alpine Ski Team I can say he was fine example for all his teammates on and off the hill. I regret not being able to attend the upcoming memorial service as I am out of the area but will be there in spirt as Richard and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. Russell

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