Richard Harold Dick Ward

Richard Dick Harold Ward, 73, passed away on October 3, 2011. He was born July 31, 1938 in Redlands, Ca. He was a lifetime resident of Redlands and Yucaipa. His maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Erickson, were Swedish immigrants to Redlands in 1906. They lived and worked on the Morrison Ranch in Redlands. His paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Ward, moved to Yucaipa in 1913. His Grandfather was the first constable and realtor of Yucaipa. His parents, Juna Erickson Fisher and Harold Dutch Ward, who were Redlands/Yucaipa residents, predeceased him. Richard attended his first few years of school at Yucaipa Elementary, where he was allowed to ride his horse to school. He graduated from Redlands High School in 1956. He was on the swimming team and was a C.I.F. qualifier. He attended Mt. San Antonio College where he excelled in free style swimming at the Eastern Conference and So. Calif. Championships. Right after Mr. SAC, he enjoyed two years as a lifeguard at Huntington Beach. Growing up in Yucaipa/Redlands area in the 1940 s and 50 s, Richard did what most children did during the summers, working on peach and plum farms. In the winter, if the weather was cold, he helped with the smudge pots on his Dad s citrus grove in Yucaipa. Richard also worked on his Dad s Heart Bar Ranch in Barton Flats herding cattle. Later he worked for Ray Roberts Pump and Equipment, installing/repairing water wells. Richard was drafted by the Army during the Vietnam era and was trained in electronics. He was stationed in Korea. He achieved the rank of Sergeant. After his military service, he moved back to Redlands where he completed an electronics apprenticeship program at San Bernardino Valley College and later taught electronics at Valley College. Before he opened his own store, Dick Ward s TV and Appliance (1973-1989) in Yucaipa, he worked for Gross TV store in Yucaipa. Later, Richard worked in electronics at General Dynamics. In retirement he spent one year on the Federal Grand Jury in Los Angeles. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards with his father, family and friends. Later in life his sport was golfing with his wife and friends. He belonged to the Palm Crest Senior Men s Golf Club for many years. But his greatest enjoyment was his family, friends and especially time spent with his granddaughters. Richard loved Redlands and donated his time in planting trees for Redlands Street Tree Committee and he volunteered at Prospect Park for six plus years tending the Tea Rose Garden with his wife. Richard is survived by his wife of 51 years, Janet Ward of Redlands; his son Eric Ward of Redlands; his Daughter Andrea Epstein and her husband Doug Epstein of Running Springs; his sister Leona June Ward of Corona; his Aunt Della Erickson Cohn of Redlands; five wonderful granddaughters: Katie, Emily and Megan Ward; Abby and Addy Epstein. The family is grateful for the excellent care Richard received at Somerford Place, Charter Hospice and from the Redlands Police Volunteers with Project Lifesaver, Rhonda Meyer, Peggy Gibbs and Cathie Siglow. Services are scheduled for Saturday, October 15th at 10:00 AM at Hillside Memorial Park in Redlands. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after graveside services at Fernwood Condominium Clubhouse. In Lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions to Redlands Community Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 1683, Redlands, CA 92373. Please in the memo part of your check write Fisher . This is an active scholarship set up by Richard in the 1990 s for his mother and stepfather, Juna and Arthur Fisher, graduates of RHS.