Richard Van Wagenen

Richard Van Wagenen is remembered and cherished by all who knew and loved him for his lively mind, big heart, mental strength and love of humor. He set off on his new adventure surrounded by his family on November 20, 2024 having lived a remarkably rich and fulfilling life.  

Born July 8, 1940, he loved his childhood growing up in Provo, Utah, with five siblings in the shadow of his beloved Wasatch Mountains. Always an entrepreneurial spirit, Richard spent his youth working in sales and accounting at his father’s radio station KIXX, an experience that sparked an interest in finance that he carried with him throughout his life. After serving in the Utah National Guard and a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he married his sweetheart, Sherry Yvonne Alvord of Boise, Idaho. He graduated from Brigham Young University and together they set off to Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA and they made lifelong friends. Boston was a pivotal period in their young relationship after which they spent the bulk of their life raising their five children in the Los Angeles suburb of San Marino. 

Rich loved the people with whom he shared his life. He worked at Touche Ross, Beverly Enterprises, Knudsen Dairy, Fremont Insurance, Presto Foods, Inter-Con Security and KRXV radio station. He was a natural mentor to many young professionals and made several close friends, all who held him in high esteem long after he retired. Neighbors worked their way into his heart from Arcadia, San Marino, Newport Beach and beyond as he visited with them at community events and while volunteering in many church leadership capacities. After retirement he divided his time between his beach house on the Balboa Peninsula and his mountain cabin at Sundance, Utah–both homes where he loved to be surrounded by beautiful nature, raucous laughter, and great conversations with family and friends. 

We will always remember Rich as one who was passionate about storytelling, cowboy boots, Willy Nelson, the Lakers, Porsches, Mexican food, the Dodgers, fishing, hiking, and playing the tuba. Most of all he loved his family, especially being a father and grandfather. With a twinkle in his eye, Rich encouraged both academic successes and good-natured fun with his children, grandchildren, and foster grandchildren. He cherished ski lift conversations, slalom races at Sundance, walks to the donut shop, and watching them jump off the 5 Tower at Mother’s Beach. He celebrated their wrestling matches, theatrical productions, publications, and other diverse interests. 

Rich dealt with essential tremors for most of his life, Parkinson’s Disease for decades, and a brain tumor for five months. During that time—nothing dimmed his passion for life, his friends, or his family. Never one to complain, he endured his many challenges with grace, kindness, generosity, strength, and humor. During his final months, he had a steady stream of visitors to his home as dozens of friends and family members came to share their love and appreciation for him. People knew him because he cared to know them. He will be remembered for his desire to see people at their best, to encourage them along their way, and to love them with his whole heart. 

Richard is survived by his wife, Sherry; siblings Lola, Gary, Betty, and Lita; his children Michael (Emily), Eric (Mary), Matt (Michelle), Rebecca Bermudez (Robert), and Jennifer Wegner (Ryan); thirteen grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and the descendants of Paul and Vickie Sampson who became part of his family. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Wayne and Bruce, his granddaughter Ariana, and many dear friends and family members. Richard requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A celebration of life will be held on January 11, 2025, 11:00 am at Harborside Restaurant in Newport Beach, CA.

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