Richard English Long

He was born in Mason City, Iowa to Marian Janet (Bruce) Long and Kenneth Fritzel Long on April 18, 1941.

On March 18, 1967 he married Deanna Silliman at the LA Verne College Chapel in La Verne, California.

Richard graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Chemistry and Mathematics and a Masters Degree at Illinois Institute of Technology. He spent 3 years at Edgewood High School in Covina, Ca, 6 years at Wm. T. Sampson High School in Guantanamo Naval Air Station, Cuba (DOD), 2 years in Zama High School in Camp Zama, Japan (DOD), tried business for 1 year at Lake of the Ozarks near Eldon, Missouri where he found Jesus. Next, he would teach at Cole R-5 High School in Eugene, Missouri, then 3 years at Morrison Academy in Taijung, Taiwan where he learned computers, 2 years was spent at Austin High School in Austin, Nevada, 1 year at Lanakila Baptist High School in Lanakila, Hawaii, finally he spent 15.5 years at La Sierra High School in Riverside, California before retiring and moving to Mesa, Arizona 2003.

He was active member within VIA Church, Leisure World Community, Zama Alumni, and Gitmo Alumni. Some of his special achievements were: National Merit Scholarship Honorable Mention, Became Christian in 1976, Live-in Granddaddy Nanny while daughter completed dissertation, attained Legal Medical Marijuana Card, and celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary.

He was preceded in death by his cousin, Jane Bruce.

Richard is survived by: Wendy Long Lamb (daughter) and husband Kevin Lamb of San Bernardino, CA, Andrew English Long (son) and wife Julie Long of Redding, CA, Bruce Long (brother) of Mesa, AZ, Janet Long Ford (sister) and husband Bob Ford of Albuquerque, NM, Cathi Silliman (sister in law) and Craig Randall of Tucson, AZ, Rod Silliman (brother in law) and wife Cheryl Silliman of Chino, CA, Russ Silliman (brother in law) of Redding, CA. He has grandchildren: Kendra and Oliver Lamb, step grandchildren: Brooke Elliott and Colter Cook and step great-grandchildren: Kaden and Kota Kennedy.

Celebration of Life will be Saturday, August 25 at 11:00 at VIA Church, 740 N. Power Rd. Mesa AZ 85205 with reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Presbyterian Childcare Center (FPCCC) 1900 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA, 92405. This is the childcare center where “Granddaddy Nanny” dropped off and picked up his grandkids and it also serves many families who live in poverty in San Bernardino.