Richard Alvin Lynch

Richard Alvin Lynch, known as “Rick” to most, Renaissance Man, 5 tool player, beloved husband, father, and grandfather left this world on Sunday, September 26, 2021.

The women in his life were numerous. He particularly appreciated smart women that could play tennis. He worshipped his piano-playing mother Leona Lynch, his talented sister Arlene and his sweet niece Diane (all deceased). He was the effortlessly cool uncle to Brenda, Gloria and Patty. He married a young, intelligent beauty queen named Penny Frederickson on Halloween in 1969, and built a life, a family, and businesses with her during their nearly 52-year marriage. He was a favorite brother-in-law to Penny’s sisters Kim, Sigrid and Clover even though he couldn’t manage to make tennis players out of any of them. He was the world, and a larger-than-life presence in the lives of his daughter Kelly and sons Michael and Tim. In the final act of his life, he was a loving grandfather to Alixandria, Avery and Hadley, as well as great-granddaughters Pearl and Valentina.

Growing up his father George (deceased), his older brothers Edward (deceased) and Gerald were his role models, but Rick had different ambitions than staying near Petaluma and working for PG&E like them. Rick managed to do what most people find aspirational- he followed his passions and earned a living from them. He taught waterskiing in Lake Tahoe, dealt blackjack, and tended bar with his lifelong best friend Big Al (deceased). He introduced tennis to hundreds of people and later used his charm and charisma to sell real estate with his wife. He appreciated his last two jobs the most because they afforded him the opportunity to spend as much time as he could playing with and being present for his children.

To know him was to love him and be amused by him. Rick would tell people with pride that he served in the Army at Fort Ord doing grenade throwing exhibitions and playing golf with officers. He almost never passed up a garage sale and preached the art of “packaging items” to get a better deal. His favorite restaurant was Costco for samples and a hot dog. Rick could (and would) talk to anyone and bragged to everyone that his daughter was a lawyer. Rick was enthralled by California history and World War II movies. He always drove a vintage Mercedes Benz. “But Officer” was the preferred record to play in the basement while his kids roller-skated, played pinball and shared a cold coke. He was a genuine San Francisco Giants fan. He listened to old music and whistled when he was deep in thought. Constantly in a good mood, he loved to wake people up with a “Reveille” and an offer to make waffles. Rick was gifted at fishing, golf and throwing horseshoes. He looked forward to vacations in McCloud to gather secret bait and fish at Lower Falls, Squaw “Crick” and various other spots he wouldn’t want us to publish for fear of having them overfished. Without fail he had an extra fishing pole and spare golf clubs to share. He could turn anything into a competition. Rick was a stalwart in the Mt. Shasta tennis tournaments as the captain of the “Lynchmob” players and spectators. “Going to war” in a tennis match was where he shined. His favorite athletes were Tim, Mike, Penny, Kelly and all her talented friends. He could painstakingly recount all his tough wins and your greatest shots.

Rick’s enduring pride and passion was always his family. And if you weren’t family but he loved you, he opened-up his tent and made you feel like family. At the end of his life his wonderful memories were robbed by a cruel disease. Rick is now at peace and free to remember the amazing life he created and the people he touched (and who touched him) throughout his 87 years on Earth.

On Monday, October 25, 2021 Rick’s family will hold a private graveside service at Cypress Hill Memorial Park followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am at the Parent-Sorensen Mortuary located at 850 Keokuk Street in Petaluma, California. In lieu of flowers, he’d like you to buy yourself a tennis racket (preferably packaged with a can of balls at a garage sale) to enjoy the sport that gave him immense pleasure his whole life.

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