Obituary of Richard Walter Stark

Richard Walter Stark, a 66-year resident of Lodi, passed away in the early
morning of the summer solstice on June 21st in his bed at our family home
overlooking the Mokelumne River nature reserve. He had been ill for several months,
and is survived by his beloved sisters, Elizabeth, Marla and Cathleen, his nieces and
nephews, Spencer, Gillian, Colin, Julia and Jack (who passed away three years ago),
and his great nephew, Logan.
Rick was an aficionado of fine wine, gourmet cooking and Cuban cigars, and an
avid fly fisherman, tying his own flies for many years. He got to know his neighbors in
Willow Glen and really enjoyed keeping in touch. Almost every day, he headed out for
a run from the levee in our backyard around Lodi Lake and along the river trail. In his
20’s and 30’s he was also an accomplished snow skier, having raced a few seasons out
of Bear Valley and loved to ski well into his later life. Most recently, he kayaked the
Mokelumne with his sister Liz, befriended most of the wildlife in the area including a
nursery of raccoons and a kit fox he called “The Old Man”. A few years ago he adopted
two feline friends, sleek gray brothers Izzy and Froome, who were his constant
companions.
We will miss his friendly banter, his passionate views on everything from
politics to wine, and his love of cars and Formula One. Services are pending at Lodi
Cemetery where he will be honored in the Stark Family plot.

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