William’s Obituary William Gary Rich entered this life on Feb. 21, 1950, born in Washington D.C. to parents William Norris Rich and Jewel Pauline (Cuffey) Rich. At an early age his family moved to Rahway, NJ where they made their home in a development designed by his architect father.
However due to his parents’ subsequent divorce, Gary relocated with his Mother and younger brother, Craig, to Denver, CO around the age of 9. His Mom, who was employed as an aeronautical engineer at the Martin Plant in Baltimore, MD, transferred to the Martin-Marietta Aerospace Plant where she worked as a lead on the Titan Missile series. Gary’s father Billy passed away in Washington, D.C. when Gary was around 11.
From an early age Gary’s life was filled with both responsibility and activity. In Denver, their outlets were shaped by their Mother’s duties as a working parent who was involved in the NAACP, the ACLU, the White Buffalo Council, and local politics. She later had a second career as an Urban City Planner for the city of Denver.
Gary’s earlier pursuits consisted of training in martial arts and early attendance in outback camping, hiking, and travel. Their family trips took them to NAACP march sites in the Deep South where exposure to racial inequalities were eye openers, to the East Coast to visit family, and a special time in the Virgin Islands. Gary had a sharp and brilliant mind and throughout his life was known to easily make friends, many of whom were lifelong.
As big brother, Gary looked out for Craig and taught him how to drive in his beloved GTO. Gary was educated in Denver public schools graduating from East High School and later found his calling in healthcare. In his early 20’s he met and married Carla Perez, and to this union a daughter, Angela, was born.
Although the marriage did not last they remained friends and co-parents to their beautiful daughter, who was her father’s lifelong love and joy! Gary moved to Sunnyvale where Carla had family, and later relocated to Palo Alto where his Uncle’s family (Wellington Cuffey) lived. Gary remained in Palo Alto throughout his life, even providing aid to his uncle for many years, until his uncle’s passing.
Gary worked as a dedicated EMT, initially on an ambulance, then at Stanford and Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital through local registries until getting into the Emergency Room Department for more than 28 proud, yet difficult years until retiring. Gary also worked at Kaiser Redwood City in the ED until his retirement. It was through this work and his passion for the outdoors that he met and made many lifelong friends becoming an expert at fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, discovering, traveling and exploring, while further honing his survival skills.
This culminated in many memorable outings with dear friends to various beloved sites, the world over, including a special passion for fishing, exploring the Trinity, Shasta, Mt. Lassen, the Sierras, and Arcata, CA area where his daughter Angela lives. Gary underwent spinal surgery in late 2015 after several years of ailments.
Gary never gave up, and remaining hopeful he tackled his health by getting physical therapy, working out, and traveling again with his family, friends, purchasing his dream truck, and spending time visiting with his daughter up North where he looked forward to relocating. Gary departed this life on February 10, 2019, at Stanford Hospital where he’d been treated since the evening of January 22 after being brought in by ambulance due to a heart attack. Many were able to be with him sharing love, support, and many fond memories during these last few days.
Gary was always giving, thinking of others before himself and cherished the memories with his devoted and loving daughter Angela, his younger brother and lifelong first devotee Craig (who states Gary always had his back and gave wise counsel whenever he needed him), a dear Aunt (his Mother’s sister) Ms. Alvanette Jones of Atlanta, GA, several cousins, family members, his foster brothers Tony Morrow and Bart Broussard, his brothers-in-life Mike, Patrick, and Jim, and his largest group of dear family and friends, the beloved Stanford Hospital and Kaiser Hospital coworkers. An initial committal of Gary’s life will take place on Feb. 22, 2019 from 3:30-4:30pm at Mitchell Park Community Center (3700 Middlefield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303) followed by a celebration of life from 5-9pm at the Old Pro (541 Ramona St. Palo Alto, CA 94301) one of Gary’s favorite watering holes. Those who wish to pay their last respects and share with others are invited to join us for one or both gatherings. A private, final send-off is set to take place this summer in Shasta County.
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