Richard "Dick" Cary Volberg

On Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2024, Richard C. “Dick” Volberg passed away peacefully at Moraga, California at the age of 94 years. Dick was born on June 16, 1930, in Berkeley, California, to Weston Fay Volberg and Grace Cary Volberg. He had an older brother, Wes, Jr., a doctor who tragically passed away at a young age.

Dick grew up in Berkeley. He graduated from Berkeley High School and the University of California at Berkeley, with a degree in Political Science. Later, he attained the degree of Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate College.

As a boy, Dick achieved the rank of Eagle in Boy Scout Troop 7. Boy Scout camps in the Sierra encouraged his lifelong love of nature and the mountains. After graduating from UC Berkeley, he joined the US Navy as an officer. He became an aviator, flying seaplanes and P2V submarine patrol bombers. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander.

After working as caretaker for the Chickering Estate near Soda Springs, Dick married Joan Chickering, a marriage that lasted 62 years until her death in 2016. After Joan’s passing, he entered into a loving relationship with Judy Laumann in Carmel Valley.

Dick and Joan had three children: Jeffrey Volberg, Keith Volberg, and Cary Volberg Heil. Jeffrey lives with his wife, Laura, in Marsing Idaho; Keith and his wife Kristin live in Susanville, California; and Cary lives with her husband Ross in Walnut Creek, California. Dick had five grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

During his college years, Dick was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Dick took great pride in his membership for many years in the Rotary Club of San Francisco. He was also a member of the Frontier Boys horsemen’s club, with which he completed 50 annual rides, and of the Father Daughter ride. Later in life, he was a board member of the Monterey Symphony.

Dick traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. He had a great interest in art and especially photography, a skill he passed along to his daughter, Cary. He had eclectic tastes in music, ranging from classical to musical theater to country/western. Dick could converse at length with anybody on any subject.

Dick often shared his love of nature and animals with his family and friends. The Volberg household always included horses and dogs, which were loved and well cared for.

Dick will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. He will always be in our hearts.