John Patrick Richlin was born in Grass Valley, Calif., Jan. 13, 1940. He died in Coupeville on June 17, 2008 of an aggressive form of cancer that took him so quickly, family and friends barely had time to say goodbye.
His great love and dearest friend, wife Judy Sibley Richlin, was by his side to the end.
Recently, they had planned an extended cross-country trip, first to Portland, Ore. to visit brother, Dennis Foster and wife Carolyn, then on to northern California to spend time with lifelong friends. They looked forward to a stop in Prescott, Ariz. to visit with daughter, Lisa Richlin Davis and her family, husband Tim and grandchildren Chelsea and Christopher, before driving all the way to Virginia Beach, Va. to party and visit with the Sibley family and friends.
It wasn’t to be, but we are sure John is somewhere driving that big motorhome that none of us can follow for now. It is certain that whomever he meets or reconnects with along the way will enjoy the company of this wonderful man, as have those of us he has left behind.
John has been described as a big man with a big heart. He had many talents and interests that he enthusiastically embraced, mastered and left behind to pursue his next big challenge.
In his younger years, he raised prized pigs, trained and showed paint horses and was a track photographer for California speedway races. Later in life, he played guitar, wrote and performed poetry, worked behind the scenes in local theater and built and remodeled houses. He was active in the local Hearts & Hammers organization.
Throughout his life, his passion for photography was always a constant.
After graduating from Nevada Union High School, class of 1957, in Grass Valley, Calif., he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of San Francisco in 1981. John made friends wherever his life took him and he worked in various positions in law enforcement for his entire adult life; first, as a police officer in Union City, Calif. and later with Sunnyvale, Calif. Public Safety (police and fire) where he retired as a lieutenant.
He went on to work with the California Department of Justice in Sacramento, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev. and the National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, D.C., retiring as Deputy Director of Field Investigations.
John worked briefly for Coldwell Banker, Tara Properties in Freeland and loved the people he worked with there. Until a few days before his death, he worked for security at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, a job that, for him, wasn’t about patrolling the halls looking for troublemakers, but in mentoring these young students whom he came to love and was reluctant to leave. His affections extended to staff as well.
John is also survived by his son Kevin Richlin and his wife Melinda and their two daughters, Amanda and Alicia, and by many nieces, nephews and their families, all who will miss him tremendously. Also left behind are many dear friends who he considered to be family.
The date and time for a gathering to celebrate John’s life will be posted on the Web page which was set up by his wonderful daughter, Lisa. For those who have never been to this site the address is www.carepages.com. To access John’s page, a member name (whidbeyjohn) and password (whidbey) is needed. To be alerted by e-mail that an update has been made to the page, you will have to register as a guest. There is no charge.
The following is a toast from his loving sister, Suzanne and her husband Joaquin Arango.
“God speed our dear and gentle giant until we meet again, we will miss your hugs, your sense of humor, your loving spirit and the twinkle in your eye”.
“Go maire sibh bhue sal nua.” (“May you enjoy your new life.”)
