Richard Duane Van Pelt, 67 of Paso Robles lost his short battle with cancer on Saturday, November 4, 2017.
Born in Delano and raised in Fresno, he joined the Navy which lead him to meet his wife Frances at Moffett Field. At the age of 23, he married Frances then 20 and they started their life together in San Jose. Eventually, they moved to Gilroy, where they raised their three children. In Gilroy, he worked at Nob Hill as a controller and then left to start his own accounting business.
Richard spent the last ten years of his life in Paso Robles where he moved to be near his sonÃs and grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren dearly and wanted to live close to see them grow and have a strong bond with them. That he did. He loved working in his garden, building things in the garage, fixing the house up and going to the movies. He was an honest man, who treated others equally and always wanted to do what was right.
He leaves behind, his wife of 44 years, Frances Van Pelt of Paso Robles, children, Jon and Robert Van Pelt of Paso Robles and Jennifer Ellis of San Rafael. Daughter in-law, Kelly Van Pelt and Son in-law, Braeden Ellis. Grandchildren: Maddie, Chloe, Abigail, Logan, Bryson, Jordyn Van Pelt and Hudson Ellis.
His celebration of life will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2017 1pm at Saint Rose Catholic Church in Paso Robles.
A viewing will be held the same day from 9am – 11am at Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
A wake will be held following the mass at CaliPaso Winery in Paso Robles.
Richard Duane Van Pelt
December 16, 1949 - November 4, 2017