Richard Kolodin

RICHARD KOLODIN was first and foremost a family man. He adored his loving wife of 29 years and best friend, Carolyn, and was seldom without her from the day they met at UC Santa Barbara. He was a devoted and active father to his three children, Catherine, Michaela, and Brian. He loved to participate in his children's activities: serving as meet director for his daughters' gymnastics and coaching Little League and travel baseball for his son. Richard attended field trips with his children whenever possible, wanting to be there for all of them. Richard made a great impact on many people in his short life. He was an engaging, lively and respected history and elementary teacher in Sebastopol for 26 years. One thing his students remember about his classroom was his eclectic taste in music and how every class began with a musical introduction and a "name that tune" quiz. He was born August 31, 1962 in Santa Monica, CA and was taken from us much too soon at the age of 52. Richard loved days at the beach, vacations with family, golf, riding his bike, and the SF Giants. He enjoyed reading provocative books, and long thoughtful conversations with family and friends. Richard had a fabulous sense of a humor, a contagious laugh and was always ready to share a joke. Some favorites include the Marx Brothers and Monty Python. Unbeknownst to many of his friends, Richard was a child acting star, appearing as the little boy with the lisp, Winthrop Paroo, in the Palisades Players summer presentation of "The Music Man," when he was 8. Rich stole the show and delighted his fans and the critics alike with his renditions of "Gary, Indiana" and "The Wells Fargo Wagon." He is predeceased by his father, William Kolodin, mother Joan Tancredi and step-father John Tancredi. He is also survived by brother Steve (Grace), sister Susan (Carlos), brother-in-law Paul (Molly), step brothers Michael (Karen) Tancredi, Thomas (Nancy) Tancredi, and John Paul Tancredi (not necessarily in that order.) He is also survived by his parents -in-law Gary and Barbara Phillips. Richard had many nephews, nieces, and a large number of uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was truly loved by many. There will be a Memorial for Richard to celebrate his life August 30th at 1:00 at Petaluma High School, 201 Fair St., Petaluma. Family assisted by PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, Petaluma.