Richard Ward McMullen

Richard Ward McMullen died peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 25, 2016. Richard aka Dick, Ricardo, Dickerino and Pops was a gentle and loving man. Born in Milwaukee on June 6, 1934 he was the first of 5 children born to Andrew "Ward" and Marie McMullen. The family moved often during his childhood finally settling in San Mateo in 1950. He attended Serra HS and later University of San Francisco where he made lifelong friendships. He met his wife Betty at a church social, married her in 1965, and moved to “rural” Pleasanton in the late 1960’s where he raised his three children. He was man of great faith, attending church in the Catholic Community of Pleasanton. He was involved in all kinds of activities including music/choir, organizing “Donut Sundays” and participating in many spiritual retreats. His first job he ever had was working as a porter for Southern Pacific Railroad at One Market Plaza in San Francisco. So began his lifetime fascination with trains, train sets, and train memorabilia. For those that don’t know Southern Pacific founded telecommunication networks with then state-of- the-art technology that evolved into Sprint, the company he retired from 1999. During his later years, while he battled multiple myeloma, he always kept a positive outlook despite pain and fatigue. “No reason to feel sorry for myself there so many other people that we need to pray for.” He had great patience. Though not a pet lover himself, he put up with a menagerie of kittens, puppies, birds, lizards, hamsters and turtles throughout his lifetime. After undergoing a painful surgery in May his first words to his oldest daughter was “How is Ida doing?" Ida is the family Newfoundland dog. He enjoyed trips to the McMullen family cabin, drinking a good glass of red wine after dinner, bike riding, attending train and hot-rod car shows, singing and playing guitar with friends, and hearing his grandson’s laughter. In recent years he especially enjoyed getting up early Saturday morning to discuss politics and religion “with the boys” in downtown Pleasanton. In June, with the assistance of Hope Hospice, he celebrated his 82 birthday at home. We gathered and sung his favorite tunes by James Taylor, John Denver, Peter Paul and Mary, Cat Stevens, Dan Folgerberg and Eric Clapton. Richard is survived by brothers Don, Jack, and Mike and his sister Phyllis, as well as daughters Karen, Sheila, and Eileen, his cherished grandson’s Marvin, Andre and Liam, and former son-in-law Ulises. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews and in-laws from both sides of extended family. Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife Elizabeth “Betty”, and cherished son-in-law Andy. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebratory funeral mass as 10 am on Wednesday, August 3rd at Saint Augustine Church, 3999 Bernal Ave, Pleasanton, Ca. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you would “tell each other you love one another more often” something Dad said in his final days. We love you Dad. You will be missed.

Richard Ward McMullen

June 6, 1934 - June 25, 2016