Richard Joseph Enns

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Shafter High School

Richard Enns Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Richard Joseph Enns
Start: 2017-01-12T18:30:00.000Z
Location: Valley Baptist Church on the Olive Drive campus

Richard Joseph Enns 1952 - 2016 Richard Enns was born October 1, 1952, in Bakersfield, California and passed away with loved ones by his side on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, after a short battle with cancer. Richard was married to Bonnie Bigelow, for for 42 years. He graduated from Shafter High School in 1970 and received a BA in Business Administration from CSUB in 1974. After his marriage to Bonnie, he joined his father in farming west of Bakersfield, the land first farmed by his grandparents. He purchased his parents' farm and continued his livelihood growing cotton, alfalfa, garlic, carrots, corn, black-eyed-peas and, for the last 24 years, successfully growing only almonds. Richard was a model farmer, admired by many and often sought for his expertise and generosity. Knowing water is essential to San Joaquin farming, he served from 2006 until just before his death, as a Board Director for the Rosedale - Rio Bravo Water Storage District, which was founded by his father. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Farm Credit West Bank which includes San Luis Obispo County. He served as an Elder for Olive Drive Church as member of the Finance Committee and as chairman. Throughout his many years of dedicated service to his professional and faith communities, his love of music was evident. He served and advised as an audio technician for church services and concerts, played the guitar and had a rich collection of music, a fondness now shared by his son, Jon. Richard was a leader in farming, water storage, banking, church and his family. He valued and lived the legacies of the Enns family. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Elnor Enns of Bakersfield, brothers, Carl (8/25/16) of Bakersfield and Roger (10/25/16) (Marilynn and son Nicholas) Enns of Santa Barbara. He is survived by his wife Bonnie; son Jonathan Paul Enns; brothers Robert (Lynn) and Phil of Cayucos; sisters Carol (Don Nikkel) Enns of Visalia and Janice Enns of Morro Bay; sister-in-law Kelly Enns of Bakersfield and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their appreciation to the many friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, for their continual prayers, love and encouragement. A memorial service will be held at 10:30am, Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Valley Baptist Church on the Olive Drive campus: 5500 Olive Drive. Sign his guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on Jan. 8, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Enns

12 Entries

Gary Hoetker

January 3, 2025

Miss you Buddy !!

Gary Hoetker

December 31, 2022

Hard to imagine six years has passed by. Miss him !!

Jim Hughes

February 20, 2017

Bonnie, Richard was a great man. Soft spoken, easy to smile... You guys made a perfect couple. We will be with him again forever. But we will miss him until then. I wish I would have visited you guys more. I'm sorry for that. Praying that you and your family will have peace. I will never forget you guys, and it was a good concert too, Jim Hughes, Romans 8: 38-39

Dave Lynch

January 20, 2017

Richard, I would like to thank you for your friendship and kindness that you extended to me throughout my Germain's Seeds Hay Days. You were a true gentleman and a scholar! We had a lot of great times together and you will surely be missed.

January 15, 2017

May the God who supplies endurance and comfort sustain you in this time of need through the comfort of the scriptures,prayers and family.-Romans15:5
D. Wilmington-California

JB Hay

January 13, 2017

I knew Richard Enns through Farm Credit West where I work. Richard Enns was a good man. A dignified man. As a Farm Credit director he was always and very interested in the well being of the staff. He always asked that question when we ran into each other. I really appreciated that genuine interest he had in us.

Phil Enns

January 12, 2017

Richard was a visionary who was always soft spoken, ready to listen and offer grounded advice. Exceptional by any standard. Someone who I felt believed in me when I questioned whether others might or might not.

Carol Enns

January 11, 2017

Thank you to all who share memories.

Rick and Janice Clack

January 11, 2017

The years we lived and worked on the Enns farm are great memories. I will always remain grateful for the time Richard took to invest in my life. I learned lessons then that formed the man I became today.

Bonnie, Janice and I were blessed by your lives, and we carry many fond memories.

Richard will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, we are all better people because the two of you were part of our lives.

Our love and prayers go out to you and your son.

In Christ

Pam Snyder

January 8, 2017

Love and prayers Bonnie to you and your family Pam the waitress from china cuisine

Gary Hoetker

January 7, 2017

I was Richard's banker for many years until my retirement. We were simpatico from the time we met. He was one of the most extraordinary men I have known in my lifetime. True North is how I would best describe him. His life was based on a basic set of principles and a deep and abiding faith, no doubt taught to him by his mom and dad.He greeted everyone he met with his infectious smile. He was respectful,kind and generous to his employees. That's what always impressed me most about him. My deepest condolences are sent to Bonnie, John Paul and the Enns Family.

Gary L. Hoetker
Bakersfield, CA

Patricia Carrasco Pacheco

January 6, 2017

Blessings to Richard's family. Attending Shafter High, I recall his great smile and wonderful nature. A life well lived. Peace to him. His just reward.

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