Richard Sommerville Dick Bartlett, Sr.

Richard Dick Sommerville Bartlett, Sr., passed away in Prescott, Arizona on May 14, 2013. He was born in Redlands on October 25, 1930 to Xellet Granville Bartlett and Rossie Sommerville Bartlett and was raised in Redlands and Big Bear. He attended and graduated from Redlands High School from 1946-1948. He lettered in Football, Baseball and Basketball; was a member of the Block R Club; and was Student Body Vice President his senior year. He joined the Air Force upon graduating from RHS and was recalled in 1950 for a year due to the Korean War. He married Varlyne Vicki Inez Emmerson on November 24, 1951 in Redlands, CA. He and Vicki lived in Los Angeles from 1953-1955 and attended Auto-Diesel School there training as a mechanic. After graduation, he taught at the school and worked at the Cadillac Garage. On April 27, 1955 they had a son, Richard Rick Somerville Bartlett, Jr. In 1955 they moved to Laguna Beach where they owned and operated 2 Flying A gas stations on Coast Highway near Pottery Shack. While living there, he was active in the Optimist Club, Annual Pancake Breakfast and Little League. On March 27, 1957 they had a daughter, Kim Bartlett. In 1962 they sold the gas stations and moved to Redlands to become business partners with Glenn Emmerson (Father-in-Law and founder and original owner) and Bob Emmerson. At the time of his retirement in 1982, Emmerson-Bartlett consisted of 4 funeral homes located in Redlands, Yucaipa, Calimesa and Loma Linda. He was very active through the years in many public service positions and clubs including Boy Scouts where he served as Grayback Council President and several other offices through the years. Redlands Noon Rotary Club where he also served as president for one year. Redlands Elks Lodge #583, Masonic lodge #300, he was a 32nd Degree Mason and also served on the City of Redlands Planning Commission. During retirement, Dick and Vicki lived in San Clemente, Then in their motor home in Oregon, San Diego, Redlands and spent many years traveling all over the U.S. They finally settled again in Prescott, Arizona these last few years. He loved to travel and they saw a lot of the world including, Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, China, South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Central America & Africa. Dick enjoyed people and always brightened any gathering with his presence and humor. You could say he was truly the life of the party. He cared for others, his community, and most of all his family. He is survived by his wife Vicki, Son Rick (Kandy), Daughter Kim (Phil); grandchildren Aaron, Eleah, & Kaitlin. 2 Nieces, 2 Nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday May 24, 2013 from 6pm 8pm at the funeral home. Funeral Services will be held Saturday May 25, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at the Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Ave., Redlands, CA 92373. A reception for family and friends will follow at the funeral home. Interment will take place after the reception at Montecito Memorial Park. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Grayback District, P.O. Box 8910, Redlands, CA 92375 or the Rotary Club of Redlands, 131 Cajon St. Suite 5, Redlands, CA 92373