Richard Hairston

Funeral information

Home: Napa, CA Place of Birth: Nashville, TN
Date of Death: February 25, 2010 Birthdate: April 1, 1947
Age: 62

Service information:

Biography

Rich Hairston 1947-2010 Richard McRay Hairston passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 25, 2010. He was born in Nashville on April 1, 1947, while his father was in medical school. Rich attended elementary school in Oakland and high school in Peoria, Ill. He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1968, being the first African American graduate of the UC Davis School of Engineering. In 1970 he earned an MBA from the University of Wisconsin School of Business, graduating summa cum laude. While at UC Davis, Rich met his future wife, Sandy Houck. They were together for 42 years and lived in Sacramento, then moved to Napa 13 years ago. In his early career Rich started an entrepreneurial company, and worked for Arthur Young Co., the California Energy Commission, and David M Griffin Assoc. He later established RM Hairston Co. and did utility rate consulting. His clients included the Western Mobilehome Association, BART, and City and County of San Francisco. Rich was an avid bicyclist and enjoyed racing with the Sacramento Golden Wheelmen. He particularly liked riding Waterford bicycles. He was an amateur radio operator (N6QB) and restored and operated Collins radio equipment. Rich was passionate about performance cars, especially his Corvettes and Shelby Mustang. He owned a Lotus Elise and Caterham 7 for use at the racetrack and restored an Alfa Romeo GTA which he drove in vintage car races. He often drove at Infineon Raceway with the National Auto Sport Association. Rich enjoyed listening to jazz and playing his Hammond B3 organ. He loved living in Napa and drinking Napa Valley wine. He delighted in choosing wine for friends, including a gourmet dinner group and a wine tasting group. Rich was predeceased by his parents, Jessie and Richard Hairston. He is survived by his wife, Sandy; his brother, Eugene; his sister, Marie; and niece Jessica. He will be remembered by numerous close friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (cgsm.org), the Lung Cancer Foundation (lungcancerfoundation.org), or the Lung Cancer Alliance (lungcanceralliance.org). The family express thanks to the Kaiser Permanente doctors, nurses, aides and hospice staff. Internment will be private. Words of sympathy may be sent online to www.tulocaycemetery.org.


Sandy March 2, 2010
I miss you so much. Our life together was great. I'll be sharing the urn with you at Tulocay one of these days. Love, Sandy

Charlene March 3, 2010
I remember watching Rich and Douglas driving their sports cars at Infineon. Thrilling! To be there when the racetrack was only open to a few drivers and spectators. And to see Rich proudly display his collection of cars. Bonding over cars and bikes!!

Dale Parker March 3, 2010
Sandy, I did not know Rich will, but liked talking to him about bike riding & his cars. When the time comes for you to work again with the Land Trust think about joining the second Saturday of the month work day party at Archer Taylor a great team & lots of fun.It takes time Sandy, he was a great guy.Dale

Roger and Jackie March 4, 2010
Sandy Our most sincere condolences. Life is definitely too short.

Harriet Pearl March 4, 2010
Sandy: I was so sorry to read about Rich's passing. I still remember the fun wine tastings. My thoughts are with you. Harriet (Pearl)

Catherine Turrill March 5, 2010
I am writing on behalf of my husband Alberto and myself, with sincere sympathy to Sandy, and with fond memories of Rich. He will be dearly missed. I doubt we'll drive through Napa or pass a group of lean, eager cyclists without thinking of him.

Dave Jolly March 8, 2010
Rich was a great friend. His passion for cycling and cars (corvette and Lotus especially), love of music (Jimmie Smith and the Hammond B3 organ) and inquiring mind made him a great companion. I wish he could have been with us longer, but I am very glad he used his time to enjoy life and add to the happiness of those around him.

Donna Fairchild March 9, 2010
My deepest sympathies to Sandy on the passing of Rich. I remember both of you from the early days of the California Energy Commission. May your own happy memories of your many years together bring you comfort.

Darise Coulter March 9, 2010
Dear Sandy, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have known you and Rick almost as long as I have known Marie. I will miss him dearly. In loving sympathy, Darise

Lea Brooks March 9, 2010
Sandy: Skip and I so much enjoyed visiting with you and Rich over the years and seeing you both on the tandem at the district time trial and other races. You were such a loving, caring couple. Our hearts are heavy that Rich has left us at such an early age with so many adventures yet to enjoy. Our thoughts are with you.

Greg Joseph March 11, 2010
Dear Sandy, I'm sorry to read about Rich's passing. He was too young for this. Rich and I graduated from UC Davis with BSEE's at the same time. We both worked at the campus radio station, along with Ken True and Bill Bartholomay. My wishes go out to your family.

Sue Boone March 29, 2010
Graduating from UCD, 1968: so long ago. So sorry to hear of Rich's passing. I always admired you two. It is great to read that your lives together were so full. My prayers are with you.