Richard Douglas Tarble

Dick Tarble (1919-2018), long-time resident of Sacramento, passed away in his home on November 29th, at the side of his “Best Friend” and loving wife of 75 years, Georgene. Born in Kewanee IL and raised in Southern California, Dick made his home in Sacramento since 1963. He served in the Army Air Corps where he commenced his training in weather forecasting. Following his service in the Philippines, he continued his studies at the University of Nevada and began his career as a Hydrologist for the U. S. Weather Service. In Sacramento he headed the River Forecast Center for Northern California. As he often said, “I worked in a job that I looked forward to going to every day of my career”. Following his retirement from the Weather Service, he worked as a consultant in hydro-meteorology, training personnel in Costa Rica, Malaysia, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to use radar and computer applications in forecasting. This international experience broadened his perspectives on cultures and peoples around the world. He and Georgene visited nearly every state in the US and toured countries on every continent, except Antarctica.

As a concerned and well-informed citizen, Dick volunteered for several organizations, serving as President on the World Affairs Council, supporting the UNICEF Foundation in Sacramento, and driving for 23 years with Wheels a la Car, enabling many disabled and elderly persons to remain in their homes. Dedicated to life-long learning, Dick formed part of the steering committee to create the Renaissance Society of Sacramento, and later served as president for two years. He and Georgene were enthusiastic learners in retirement, both leading and participating in seminars, and joining in dining adventures with the associated group, Travel Through Food. Other dining adventures included the Daring Diners and the International Diners, where for over 20 years the group of friends researched and created diverse menus to share together in gatherings filled with jovial communion and stimulating conversation. Dick also had a passion for the arts in its various forms. The theater played an important role in his life, both as audience member and producer, director, and actor in different productions at community theaters at home and abroad. From Broadway, to the ACT in San Francisco, to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, to the Music Circus and Capital Stage in Sacramento, Dick was an ardent supporter of live theater. His creativity found many other outlets as well, as seen in his lovely hand-crafted jewelry, works in stained glass, hand-tied rugs, photographs, and ceramics. His intellectual curiosity led him to explore nature from anthills to clouds, fossils, and geological formations, and share his adventures with his family, instilling in them a respect and reverence for the world we live in. He loved gadgets and kept abreast of technology and innovations in communication, allowing him to keep in touch with friends and family far and near. A deep spiritual inclination brought him to the Unitarian Universalist Association early in his married life. He embraced the UU principles that include a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, and the recognition of the worth and dignity of every person. He helped found fellowships in Bryan TX and in Sacramento, and gave untiring support and service to all the congregations in which he was involved.

Dick was the eldest of five children and is survived by his sisters Vera Masters and Helen Barnett, and preceded in death by Jane Caroline Rachuy and Marjory Knouse. In his role as patriarch of the Tarble clan, he offered continuous encouragement, inspiration, and guidance to his daughters Kay and Carolie, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their families. In spite of the distance, Dick and Georgene brought the family together on a regular basis, and the house in South Land Park was home to many joyous reunions, weddings, and celebrations.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2019, at 3:00 p.m, at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, 2425 Sierra Boulevard, Sacramento, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s name to the Renaissance Society Scholarship Fund, The Renaissance Society, 6000 J Street, MS 6074, Sacramento CA 95819, or to the UUSS Service Committee, 689 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-3302, or a charity of choice.