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Richard Dowling Obituary
Our very dear Dick Dowling, 66, passed away on Sept. 3, after a valiant two and a half year battle with Cancer. Dick was born in San Francisco on Aug. 29, 1945 and promptly adopted by his loving parents, Norval and Dorothy Dowling of El Cerrito, CA, who preceded him in death.
He graduated from El Cerrito High School in 1963 where he played football early on and then switched to competitive swimming.
Dick loved being social and he and his wife, Carol-Ann, volunteered for many events at the Benicia Yacht Club where they have been members since Sept. 2002.
Dick served as Rear and Vice Commodore in 2005 - 2006, and then Commodore of the club in 2007. He has a large circle of friends that will miss him dearly.
He and Carol-Ann designed their home around entertaining and used it often to cook for friends and family and O'Leary's Pub every St. Patrick's Day. 160 lbs. of corned beef each year!
Dick is survived by his wife of almost eight glorious years, Carol-Ann, (formerly Guldenbrein) of Benicia, CA; a wonderful son, Richard, Jr. (Trudy); two grandsons, Benjamin, 11 and Nathan, nine, of Medford, OR. Brother, Robert (Bob) Dowling (Janet); nephew, Peter and niece, Sara of Hercules, CA.; and step-daughter, Sarah Ann Guldenbrein of Oakland, CA.
Dick served as Sergeant with the City of Martinez Police Department for a little over 30 years.
He truly loved being a police officer and did miss "the streets" for quite a while after retiring in 2002. When he got over missing "the streets" he happily would tell anyone that, "Every day was Saturday except Sunday".
Dick loved life, friends and family with no bounds.
He gave his love, support and help to any and all who needed it. He was a gentle hearted, generous-to-a-fault happy man.
He will be missed by many and the world is a little emptier without him.
There will be a grand celebration of his life on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at the Benicia Yacht Club, at 1:00 p.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Dowling
5 Entries
John Bursee
October 28, 2022
This man was larger than life, I was a wayward teenager and lost in this world, he found me sleeping on a bench and sent Rick, also a giant to me to retrieve me from my dishwasher job , they took me home and exposed me to kindness and what home is supposed to be. Mind you. I had no clue to anything or how to behave or process this then, but now , today. I can say with all my heart this was not only the best man I ever knew. I wish I had had a chance to say thank you so much
Justin Carr
November 4, 2011
Dick- I'll never forget you!! All the times you took us kids (Rick and I) so many cool places; Shasta, Wrights Lake, taking the squad car out and doin' a 100!! You were a role model for me Dick! My pops was out of the picture, but you always stepped up and included me. Thanks for Coaching me in baseball as a youngster! Concord Tire and Brake- The Hawks! Your pool, loved it! You spent hours teaching me and Rick how to water ski, "just get up on two and KICK ONE!" Well it finally worked and I learned how to single ski. Thank You!! oh, one thing..I owe an apology for dropping your Timing light into Lake Shasta, I said I hadn't seen it, but I was the one who dropped it right between the house-boat and the ski boat. I thought you'd kill me if I told ya....another quick memory...Rick and I were hunting around at Lake Shasta on land and came across a big rattle snake, well all we had was a BB gun which did nothing, so out came the 9mm and finished the job so we would be safe....you we're great to me Dick- always!! even the last time I saw you in 2002, when I needed a hand with something, you were as helpful as you could be. I'll never forget you Dick, may you rest in peace----Justin Carr
Skip Estrella
September 15, 2011
Sorry for your loss! I remember many good times we had in the past, both at work and away. I last visited Martinez about 15 years ago and was able to visit with many of my friends, including Dick. I guess we're all getting a little older now but, we hope to hang in there as long as we can. Karen and I moved to Ohio in 1989 and love it out here. Health isn't the greatest but I continue to hang in there. God Bless and Keep you ALL! Former Mtz. Sgt. Skip Estrella.
Charlotte and Harold Robinson
September 15, 2011
Bob,
Sorry for the loss of your brother.
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