Richard Wentworth Vohs

August 14, 1940 - April 17, 2022

Richard died in his sleep in the early morning of April 17, Easter Sunday, at the age of 82. He was born in San Francisco, CA to Richard Linz and Frances Ellen Vohs. He grew up in Berkeley and took the Key System to San Francisco each day to attend Lick Wilmerding High School. Richard graduated in 1961 from the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA as a fully qualified Merchant Marine Deck Officer. For 40 years he travelled the globe navigating countless U.S. Flag cargo ships.

In 1973 he met Judy Evans on a Sierra Club hike on Mt. Tamalpias and they married in 1975. They adopted and raised two beautiful daughters, Lucy and Jessica in Albany, CA. Richard was a life long member of the Catholic Church and attended services each Sunday, no matter where he was in the world. He was on the maintenance crew at St. Ambrose Church in Berkeley, CA and was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at both St. Ambrose and St. Mary Magdalene churches.

From as early as anyone can remember he loved books, reading and had an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He always carried paper and a pen in his pocket to take notes and write down questions or words he didn’t know to look up later. He was an avid stamp collector, filling the house with stamps from all over the world. He was a proud member of the East Bay Stamp Club and the Diablo Valley Stamp Club. As with finding a church wherever he would go, he would also search out local stamp stores, befriending philatelists all over the world. For many years he enjoyed working as an Alameda County Election Official.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, he is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Jessica Vohs and Lucy Vohs Yearout, son-in-law Willie Yearout and Granddaughters Zoey and Bailey. He is also survived by his beloved sister Victoria Corbell, brother-in-law Brian Corbell, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Richard was charitable, never asked for anything in return. He spent much of his adult life volunteering to help the poor and always championing the underdog. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

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Judy and family, I did a search for you during a newscast that focused on Oakland, and I thought of you. Now a year later, may I send you my condolence for your loss of Richard. Know you are still one of the most important people ever to be in my life, and I appreciate your ministry so much. Much love to you from the eastern USA (Clemson, SC). Jerdone Davis

It is said that all great men (and women) choose their hour of death, and for Richard to join our Lord -- as well his family and friends who preceded him -- in heaven on the most sacred day of the year is a superb testimony to his deep faith. However, it is too soon for me to rejoice in his ascendance. Like many of his friends, I am still in shock and sorrow that Richard left us so abruptly. When the news broke on Easter Monday, I had seen Richard just two weeks before (over Zoom), during a monthly meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference that he so carefully shepherded for countless years. In some ways, I did not know many facts about Richard's life. I didn't realize that he was 81 years old (if I calculate correctly), and I hadn't known that he had "travelled the globe" for 40 years, navigating cargo ships! What I did know is that he was supremely intelligent, keenly observant, and possessed a sardonic sense of humor that belied a tender heart. A few years ago, Richard inspired me to join the conference of St. Vincent de Paul. We are a small group providing a helping hand to people of all backgrounds living in Richard's two cities, Berkeley and Albany. He was our chief and treasurer, keeping careful records of the requests that he and Judy fielded over the years. I am heartbroken that he has left us so soon, but I am comforted that, shortly before his death, Richard inspired another person directly (and two, indirectly) to join our ranks, so that he died in peace, I believe, knowing that his legacy will long endure. I feel certain that the words Richard must have heard as he entered God's loving embrace were the following: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master!"

Our deepest condolences to Judy in the loss of our CMA '61 Classmate. He will be missed by all but especially by his family. He will NOT be forgotten

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.