Richard C. Einspahr

Richard “Dick” Charles Einspahr died peacefully in his home on February 2nd, 2024, with the gracious help of Kaiser Hospice and surrounded by his family. 

Richard was born on September 22nd, 1933, in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  He was raised in Laramie, Wyoming, and at age eighteen moved to California for his education.  He received his B.A. from Westmont College in Montecito and then took classes at UCLA, transferring to CSU Fresno to earn a Masters of Arts – History.

He also served ten years in years in the California Air National Guard, rising to the rank of captain. 

He began his teaching career in Clovis, California, in 1960.  In 1962 he relocated to Sacramento, California, to begin teaching at McClatchy High School, where he retired in 1994.  

Richard loved teaching Social Studies and US Government and was determined that his students learn how to critically think through issues. For many of his classes he required a fifteen-page position paper with complete documentation of resources they gathered to defend the topic they had chosen.  

He also believed that extracurricular learning experiences were extremely important.  His students joined him during one school break to climb a tall peak in the Sierra’s Mt. Sill group. Another opportunity for learning opened when he heard about the newly formed United Welfare Rights Organizations of Sacramento.  They had adopted the widow of a minister and her 10 children as their first project.  Richard asked interested students to help with this project in their spare time.  He taught them on the job basic carpentry skills and with guidance they even replaced a broken windshield in the family’s car so the family had transportation. 

Richard’s students also took part in Mock Trials and Moot Court under the tutelage of local attorneys which was another way for his students to learn organization and research skills.  His skill as a teacher was recognized when one year he was Sacramento Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year.

In his private life he joined the Sierra Club and attended their Mountaineering School. He learned how to climb the highest peaks in California and dedicated himself to climbing most of them.

After he accomplished this goal he set his sights on learning to sail, beginning with a catamaran on Folsom Lake.  This led to sailing the California coast in his beloved boat, Adventure.  In his ninety years of life he devoted himself to these adventures, always including his family and friends.  

Richard was known for his kindness and generosity.  He was always inclusive, always thoughtful.

He is survived by his wife, Louise, of thirty-eight years, three children, Christopher Einspahr, David Williamson, and Rebecca Lambert, and two grandchildren, Emily Einspahr, and Sarah Lambert, and his younger brother, Bill.