Richard Joseph Fung

1947 - 2025

Santa Clarita -a lifelong Californian, Vietnam War Navy corpsman, and passionate fisherman whose life spanned eras of hardship, healing, and quiet heroism-passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Clarita on April 11, 2025, surrounded by his immediate family. He was 77.
Born May 2, 1947, in Los Angeles, Rick-never Richard to those who knew him-was the son of Howard and Mary Fung. Raised in a tight-knit Chinese American community, his early years were shaped by the warmth of the Chinese Fellowship, a post-war network of families who created deep bonds in the face of widespread discrimination.
After graduating from L.A. High School in 1965, Rick enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a corpsman attached to the Marines in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for acts of extraordinary heroism, including tending to wounded soldiers under fire and rescuing two Marines from drowning in a fast-moving river.
After the war, Rick returned to California to rebuild his life. He married, became a father, and began his career in health care-first assisting with orthopedic surgeries at UCLA, later working in medical sales, where his people skills and firsthand knowledge from the field made him a natural.
Rick was married three times, and each chapter of his life brought deep relationships and lasting family bonds. His first marriage, to Kathleen, was rooted in their early years on the Westside of Los Angeles and brought the birth of their son, Michael. His second marriage, to Christine, gave him two more children, Brandon and Morgan, and continued until her passing in 1997.
In 1999, Rick met Betty Ruth during a Fourth of July gathering at the home of close friends. The two married the following year on the same bocce court where they met, beginning what would become the most flourishing chapter of his life. Together, they created a joyful home in Santa Clarita and shared a partnership grounded in deep love, mutual care, and connection with their community of neighbors, friends, and their beloved dogs.
Hosting dinners with friends and family became a signature joy in Rick's later years. Whether gathered around the backyard pool or at the dining table, he brought people together with laughter, warmth, and his famously grilled rib-eye steaks. With Betty by his side, Rick found deep connection, purpose, and peace-qualities that defined their time together and gave both of them renewed strength and joy. They traveled often, supported the arts, and volunteered together for causes close to their hearts.
Rick was a father to Mike, Brandon, and Morgan, and a devoted father figure to Betty's children, Joel and Alisa. He embraced the role of grandfather with joy and pride, creating lasting memories with each of his grandchildren.
He lived many lives-technician, salesman, photographer, gear enthusiast, storyteller, road tripper. But through them all, he remained deeply connected to the outdoors. Fishing brought him a sense of calm, connection, and community. Whether casting into Sierra lakes or heading out on SoCal landings, Rick found solace in the water. Just weeks before his passing, he made a final trip to Yosemite, marveling at the grandeur of the falls.
Rick was the kind of person who made connections everywhere he went. From medical teams and veterans to waitstaff and neighbors, he treated everyone with respect, curiosity, and good humor. He believed in growth, in second chances, and in learning from life's challenges.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; his children Mike (with wife Janice and their children Noe, Lula, and Ziggy), Brandon (with wife Melissa), and Morgan (with husband Tim); his stepchildren Joel (with wife Jill and their children Cooper and Maryn), and Alisa (with husband Rich and their daughter Raelyn).
Rick's story is one of resilience, love, and transformation-from a child of immigrants shaped by racism and hardship to a decorated veteran, and ultimately to a father and husband who found deep joy and connection later in life. His loyalty, warmth, and presence will be remembered by all who had the gift of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to two organizations dear to Rick's heart:
- Assistance League Santa Clarita - where Rick and Betty gave back to their local community https://assistanceleaguesantaclarita.org/donate/
- Carousel Ranch - supporting children with special needs through equestrian therapy https://www.carouselranch.org/donate