Richard W. Coen, age 73, died on Wednesday, June 20th, 2018 surrounded by his loved ones in his home in Gilbert, Arizona. From his birth in Sacramento, CA on September 22nd, 1944 to his death on Wednesday, Richard enriched the lives of his friends and family with his quirky humor, love of nature and dedication to his loving wife, Heather. Richard grew up in San Francisco raised by his incredible mother Ruth and hardworking father, Richard. As a child, he often spent his spare time at his grandparent’s farm and orchard in Camino, CA. There, he spent time working and having fun roaming the property with his grandfather. Here, some of his best memories were made and the foundation of his life fortified. Richard went on to gain his Ph.D. in 1978 in electrical engineering from the University of California at Berkley. Soon after, he began work at Hewlett-Packard as a research scientist and met the love of his life, Heather. They were married in September of 1979 and together they raised their son, Joel. Richard loved math, food (especially Prime Rib), and was an avid animal lover, especially Bassett Hounds. Richard is survived by his wife, Heather, son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Melissa and grandchildren Isabella and Ethan.
Services will be held at Sun Valley Community Church in Gilbert, AZ on June 26th from 4-5pm. Burial will take place at Woodside Hills Memorial Park in Placerville, CA on Saturday, June 29th at a time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Richards Go Fund Me page located here: https://www.gofundme.com/richard-w-coen-memorial-fund Donations will be distributed to various animal rescue charities in addition to a scholarship fund that will be established in Richard’s name for students in need who want to study engineering.
Love you dad.
I didn’t know Richard well but what I did learn of him in the short time that I knew him was he was a kind and gentle man. I know he was a wonderful man because I know his family. I know because a terrific family like his had to have been led by a great man. I know Heather’s kind and loving ways must be matched by husband of the same. I hear happy stories of Richard and I see pictures that tell their own story. The world has suffered a great loss of a brilliant man that had so much more life to live and so much left to offer the world. I am deeply saddened I didn’t know him longer. Elizabeth Shanley
We miss you Uncle…
Steve and Susanne