Richard Ivan Loomis

1928 - 2022

Richard Ivan Loomis
March 3, 1928 - August 12, 2022
San Luis Obispo, California - Richard Ivan Loomis, 94, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving wife and children, on August 12, 2022. Richard was born in San Francisco on March 3, 1928 to Christine and Ivan Loomis, the youngest of four children.
Richard is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Barbara (Bobbie) Loomis, his four children; Daniel (Deborah) Loomis, Patrick (Leigh Ann) Loomis, Julie (Scott) Wilson and Robin (Gary) Goldhawk, as well as 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. His family was his most cherished legacy.
He was preceded in death by his three siblings, Patricia Loomis, Peggy David and John Loomis.
Rich lived his entire life in Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo and had an idyllic childhood growing up in small-town Arroyo Grande, making many close and lasting friendships.
Richard played all of the sports at Arroyo Grande High School but his favorite was football. He went on to play football at Menlo Junior College and later at Cal Poly, where he made many lifelong friends. Rich majored in Animal Husbandry at Cal Poly.
Richard met the love of his life, Bobbie, on a blind date in 1950. They married on 10/21/51. At the same time they were starting their own family, Rich was very involved in his family's Feed and Grain business which was founded in 1905.
In 1965 Rich established the Loomix Liquid Feed Corp. Loomix, Inc. grew into a very successful company and eventually became the largest liquid feed company of its kind in the country.
More important than the financial success of Loomix, Inc. was the incredible number of close and lasting personal relationships he formed with employees, customers, partners and suppliers. Because of Rich's genuine love of people, he made Loomix, Inc. a very special place for everyone involved; an experience that will never be duplicated. He retired in 1991.
Along the way, Richard received many awards and accolades: AGHS Sports Hall of Fame; Cal Poly Sports Hall of Fame; Cal Poly Alumni of the Year in Agriculture; AFIA first Chairman and Hall of Fame; President of SLO Rotary Club. He was active in the New Life Church, Rancho Visitadores and the Osos Club.
Rich had many hobbies. He shared his love of hunting and fly-fishing with his sons and grandsons â€" times that will be cherished forever. He was a formidable tennis player and also enjoyed playing golf.
He was very proud of the many redwood trees he planted over the past 50 years at the Tar Springs family ranch in Arroyo Grande. He established several groves that total over 1,100 trees. He boasted that he had the southernmost redwood forest in the world.
Rich was blessed with an incredible sense of humor and was not shy about sharing it with everyone he met. This, along with his genuine love of people, was a huge positive influence on his family, many close friends and everyone else that had the good fortune to meet him. No matter what their lot in life, he treated every one with the same respect.
By far, his best friend in the whole world was his beautiful wife Bobbie. They literally had a 70-year long love affair. They were inseparable and lived a very blessed life together.
The loss of Richard Loomis has left a void in all of our lives but he leaves behind so many beautiful memories. Rich was a strong Christian. His life can be summed up by his favorite Bible verse, "Love the Lord thy God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself." Rich lived a wonderful life and he will truly be missed.
A service will be held on 11:00 am on Saturday, Oct. 22 at New Life Church in Pismo Beach, and will be followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at the Loomis Family Barn, 8451 Huasna Rd., Arroyo Grande.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's memory to the Tunnels to Towers foundation.