Richard Hartshorne Jr.

Richard Hartshorne, Jr. Died Wed., June 13, 2007 at the age of 87 of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Born in New York City, he graduated from Avon Old Farms Academy in Connecticut. He followed his father to Princeton and took a degree in engineering. Energetic, adventurous and athletic all of his life, he played football at Avon Old Farms and was a Crew medalist at Princeton. During his time off from school, Richard spent summers in Austria and Sweden living and working with family and friends. He was commissioned in the Navy in 1941, served at the US Navel Academy Experiment Station at Annapolis and served his active duty aboard the USS Oakland until the end of the war. He was discharged from the Navy in 1946 and retired as a lieutenant commander. At the close of the war, he married Peggy Mueller whom he met while visiting mutual friends in San Francisco. He joined the General Electric Company in 1946, first in Schenectady, NY, then in Honolulu as a GE representative to American Factors and finally in San Francisco as a senior lighting engineer. He was part of the team that illuminated both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges and Coit Tower. Always involved in community activities, he was a founder of Junior Achievement and an active member of the Holy Nativity Church in Honolulu, a member of the vestry at both St. John's in Ross, CA, and St. Mary of the Virgin in San Francisco. He was a founder of Marin Country Day School. Upon retirement, the Hartshorne's moved to Sacramento to be closer to their children, grandchildren and to their Tahoe home where Richard enjoyed summer swimming, sailing and hiking with his children, grandchildren and dogs, and winter skiing well into his 80s. The Hartshorne's were world travelers and enjoyed visiting their many friends throughout the world. He is survived by Peggy, his wife of 62 years; sister Nancy Bell, Albuquerque, NM; brother, John Fritz Hartshorne, Cohasset, MA; son, Richard, Santa Barbara; daughter, Sally Riden, Vallejo; son, John, Sacramento; three grandchildren and many friends he made easily throughout his full and varied life. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, 2140 Mission Ave., Carmichael, CA 95608 on Thursday June 21, 2007 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be sent to Sutter VNA & Hospice or the charity of your choice.