Richard Duffus

Richard Charles Duffus of Livermore died Sept. 8. He was 87.

Duffus was born June 26, 1928 in Oakland, California to Charles and Gertrude Duffus.

Duffus was united in marriage in 1949 to Rae Marilyn Zander. He was very proud of his family, his military service and his country. He served as an artillery officer with the United States Army, serving in the Korean War, and service to his country continued as he worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 30 years. He retired at age 62 to take up a life-long desire to earn his pilot's license. Duffus flew with the Flying Particles for 13 years, piloting planes all over the West Coast.

Duffus (N6DVY) was active in the Livermore Amateur Radio Club, hosting the annual Field Day event for many years.

He also was an active member of Sons in Retirement (SIRs), serving as Big Sir in 2009.

During his retirement he and his wife traveled to many countries throughout the world, visiting six continents. He particularly enjoyed annual get-togethers with all the grandchildren, which they called “Camp Duffus.”

Duffus had a life-long love of sailing. As a young man, he and his brother built their first sailboat, the 10-X, to sail on Pinecrest Lake where the family camped every summer. He then built a larger boat with his sons and raced twice in the great Bull Ship Race across the Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge. For the last 30 years he was the skipper of the Searene. The love of sailing has passed on to his sons and grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Gertrude; brother, Donald; sister, Peggy Powell and twin great-granddaughters, Grace Marie and Eva Rae.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rae; three sons and their spouses, Scott (Yvonne) of Zachary, Louisiana, Kevin (Ingrid) of Livermore and Keith (LuAnn) of Granville, Ohio. He had eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. at Callaghan's Mortuary, 3833 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94550. A reception will follow.

Donations may be made in Duffus’ memory to Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Avenue, Suite 100, Dublin, California 94568.