Richard Hugo "Dick" Gatchel

Dr. Richard "Dick" Hugo Gatchel passed away December 8, 2018 in Los Osos, CA at the age of 92. Dick was born in Centerville, CA to parents Fred and Dorothy Gatchel. Dr. Gatchel received a B.A., History in 1945 and a Ph.D. in Education from Stanford University. He earned a ministry degree from Northwestern Lutheran Union Seminary in New York and was ordained in Minneapolis in 1952. Dick was a veteran of World War II. He married Elizabeth "Beth" Jewell Edwards in the Stanford Memorial Church in 1948. Dr. Gatchel was in ministry at the First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, Palo Alto,and Oroville; counseled students at the San Francisco Theological Seminary; and taught at San Bernardino Junior College and Crafton Hills College. After retiring, he was involved in Habitat for Humanity and the Presbyterian Church mission projects in Seattle. Dick shared his passion for the outdoors with his family and friends, was an accomplished musician, and was a master craftsman. Dr. Gatchel was predeceased by his parents and brother Charles. He is survived by his brother, George (Leta); his wife Beth; his five children: Dorothy, Laura (Steve), Melissa "Kit" (Don), Richard "Matt" (Karen), and Robert (Ro); seven grandchildren: Marci (Mike), Clancy (Kaci), Travis (Nicole), Betsy, James, David and Syd; and four great grandchildren: Kaeden, Brock, Kimber and Lolita along with several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held in Morro Bay, CA at St. Peter's by the Sea Episcopal Church on January 26, 2019 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer's research or the donor's favorite charity.