Richard Tilles

1942 - 2017

Richard D. Tilles

April 8, 1942 - November 18, 2017

Richard Tilles, a 26-year resident of San Francisco, died peacefully at Zen Hospice Project on November 18, after a five-year battle with kidney cancer. The loving husband of Lois Tilles, he was the father of Emily and Ted Tilles, father-in-law of Naomi Mahoney and grandfather of Isabel and Kiko Tilles, all San Francisco residents. He loved his family above all else and will be greatly missed by them.

Born and raised in New York City with his sister Ronnie, Richard grew up playing stickball, piano and golf, and developing a lifelong appreciation for bagels, pretzels and club soda. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Cornell University and an M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University.

After serving as a captain in the U.S. Army, he began his lifetime career as a transportation planner, with projects ranging from airports to traffic planning to mass transit throughout the world, from Iran to Anchorage.

In San Francisco, Richard was the first transportation manager for the Presidio Trust, developing the initial policies and direction of a comprehensive transportation system for the Presidio as it converted from an army base to a national park, with the goal of reducing private automobile use and promoting alternative transportation. This included starting the PresidiGo Shuttle System, developing a comprehensive network of bikeways and trails, Bike to Work Day celebrations, improving MUNI service, parking management, traffic calming, accessibility, car/vanpooling and the tenant Transportation Demand Management Program. He was a great leader and mentor to younger planners throughout his career.

An accomplished pianist, Richard shared his love of music with the residents of Heritage House Health Center, which recently honored him for over 20 years of weekly entertainment. In the last two years he was frequently joined by his granddaughter Kiko as an accompanying singer.

After retirement, he shared his love of golf and travel with Lois, and also bicycled all around the City, his favorite trips being to baseball games (Giants and Isabel's). He continued his love for the Presidio as a weekly volunteer in GGNRA landscaping projects.

Richard was a long-term subscriber to San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony, and attended music and history classes at the Fromm Institute.