Richard Obenchain JR

Richard "Dick" Obenchain Jr. -artist, architect, wordsmith, and beloved Uncle was born in Brooklyn, New York March 8th, 1944. He spent the bulk of his formative years growing up around the industrial cities of Northeastern US. Lorraine (mother), Dick and his siblings (Bill, Stephanie and Jim) followed Richard Sr. who designed and oversaw the building of many a steel mill. This planted a seed that eventually led Dick to the University of Kansas where he received a degree in architecture. A young man in "the 60s" meant you did your tour in Vietnam. Dick spent four long years there navigating aboard the US Kennebunk (A0-36) and as a US advisor on Vietnamese River boats. His time there left scars, but his love of the tropics and a lifelong friend in Alan Tooke was made.

Post Vietnam, Dick resided in San Francisco, where in addition to accepting his sexuality, he started an architectural illustrator business which allowed him to develop his skills as a painter.

Dick's interest in art developed in his early teens. He began painting in watercolors and oils and had first formal art training at the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburg. Although he took an occasional class, Dick was and considered himself a "self-taught painter". Throughout his life Dick was fascinated by nature, rocks, architecture and how these elements color our world. Dick's paintings, whether large or small, all reflect the awe of his surroundings; the flora, the light, the desert or the jungle. His body of work is vast and was shown at galleries throughout the country.

While in San Francisco, Dick met Charlie Braun, his soulmate, a professor of gender studies at the University of California -Santa Cruz. They shared a deep intellectual connection, a love of craftsman architecture and together they explored the world including Asia and Egypt. The early days of the AIDS epidemic stole Charlie, but he remained a constant in Dick's life. At a grief support group, he met Jack (Dicey) and together they forged a life together in off the grid places like Hilo, Hawaii and ultimately, Bisbee, Arizona. They bought, renovated, built and sold houses. They collected beautiful things that dappled their homes that welcomed many a visitor, often to Dick's chagrin! He would say he was a loner and not necessarily a fan of people; but his nieces- Jennifer and Kim, might disagree. Dick was a great host who took guests on hiking tours of the landscape pointing out plants and mountain ranges along the way.

Ridiculously smart, Dick could finish a NY Times crossword in record time. He could pick up a rock and tell you what minerals were in it and would happily hand over special ones that he called dinosaur eggs to his grand nieces and nephews who all adored him. He was a vicious scrabble player but was patient letting those of us less mensa-like to win...on occasion. His many dogs would join him on his morning hikes up and down the mountain and his dear Akela, is missing him terribly, as we are all missing him.

Ironically, Dick passed on election day this year. It would be his hope that you remain vigilant in making this world a place of acceptance, kindness and take in its beauty and protect it...otherwise, "we're doomed".

Dick is survived by beloved nieces Jennifer and Kim Wurster, his dear friend Alan Tooke, other lifetime friends like Jen and Russ, Linda and Larry, Chuck, Nancy, his brother Bill and a slew of nieces and nephews for whom his memory will remain a blessing.