Richard D Givens
July 4, 1939-Dec. 4, 2017
Livermore, CA
Richard D. Givens (Dick) died on Monday, December 4, 2017 at his home in Livermore, CA after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dick is survived by his wife, Sonya Sheffield; his sister, Gail Givens; his children, Leslie Sarandah (Basem), Amy Givens, Katie Amoroso (Josh); stepchildren, Kimberly Evans (Dave), John (Tripp) Sheffield (Fua), Brennan Sheffield (Erin); his grandchildren, Addison Amoroso, Summer Sarandah, Sabrine Sarandah, Frankie Amoroso, TJ Sheffield, Michael Sheffield, Sean Sheffield, Taylor Sheffield, Aidan Sheffield, Angelica Evans and Naomi Sheffield. Last but not least, his constant companion & faithful friend Mazie.
Dick was born in Chinquapin, Yosemite National Park to Violet and Frank Givens on July 4, 1939. A son of a National Park Service Ranger, Dick developed a love of the outdoors at an early age. The family was transferred to Twenty-Nine Palms, CA (Joshua Tree National Park) where he finished his elementary education, and then to Bar Harbor, Maine (Acadia National Park) where Dick entered high school. It was in Bar Harbor that he developed his love for sailing and he spent many enjoyable years crewing on both the east and west coasts. He loved to crew as he got to enjoy the sport without the hassles of boat ownership. His first crew master told him the two happiest days in a yacht owner's life are the days he buys his boat and the day he sells it!
Dick attended prep school at Hebron Academy where he excelled in baseball and soccer. He was recruited by the Major League Baseball out of high school and spent a year with the Braves farm team. After a year of traveling with the team, he decided that an education had a better long-term outcome than pro ball. He accepted a full scholarship from Stanford to play baseball on the Indians team, but a shoulder injury prevented him from playing. He went on to play soccer during his four years at Stanford.
After graduation from Stanford in 1962, he attended UC Hasting Law School and began his law career with Boise Cascade. He then moved on to Ropers- Majeski and eventually became a sole practitioner. He spent almost 50 years in litigation counting the National Football League, McDonalds Corporation and US Steel among his clients.
Dick lived in Menlo Park from 1967 until retiring to Livermore in 2010.
Dick was an active sportsman throughout his life. He loved fly-fishing the rivers of Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana; duck hunting in the Buttes, diving the Great Barrier Reef; skiing some of the Sierras and the Alp's highest peaks; and annually running the Dipsea and the San Francisco marathon. Later in life he developed a passion for cycling. He was in his 60's and had only been riding around town when he decided to tackle the Aids ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles - after that you couldn't get him off a bike!
Dick often said that a life of service is a life worth living. He was committed to giving back to the communities that gave so much to him. Dick served as Chairman of the Board of the Lupus Foundation; President of the Menlo Park Rotary; President of the Rotary Foundation; Regional Chair, Relay for Life; and Chairman of the Board of Pacific Chamber Orchestra. Dick also co-founded Menlo Park's Tour de Menlo ride, working tirelessly to make it the success it is today. Proceeds from last year's ride enabled Rotary to provide nearly $40,000 for needs-based scholarships and local non-profits.
Throughout his life, Dick enjoyed the many friendships he made through his memberships in the Bohemian Club, Olympic Club, Tahoe City Yacht Club, Rotary Club and his Stanford fraternity, Theta Delta Chi. He was famous for his sharp wit, leadership skills, commitment to service, and his unwavering loyalty and support for family and friends. Dick leaves behind a rich legacy of personal and professional success, always lending a helping hand to those in need. He led a full and rewarding life.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Wente Vineyards, 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore, CA 94550 (925.456.2425).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pacific Chamber Orchestra, http://www.pacificchamberorchestra.org/support-us/donate or The Rotary Club of Menlo Park/Tour de Menlo - P.O. BOX 876, Menlo Park, CA 94026.
Tags: business, public service
