A year later, Mike Clements remembers Richard with fondness of the many years they were housemates. Mike stll remembers Richard as an avid reader and a loyal friend. Richard continues to be missed by many. His spirit remains in the sunshine of the Mission district and in the fog rolling through the Golden Gate.

Dick Barnes! I just found out about his passing.  I met him working at Greenleaf. I’m thinking of you up in the afterlife of the Hunga Dunga and Cockettes krewe. ✌🏼✌🏼

Such a gem and bearer of San Francisco culture. ♥️♥️

I had the privilege of being Richard’s neighbor for more than 20 years.  

My family and I will remember him for his kindness and intelligence., and of course his enthusiasm for books and reading! 

I enjoyed hearing his stories about Chicago in the late 60s as well as the mission district of SF in the 80’s. 

We will miss chatting with Richard  as he swept up the sidewalk  in front of his apartment or returned from the Birite with ( always and without a bag) a half gallon of milk and a handful of other groceries. 

Our condolences to his family and those close to him. 

Chuck 





Richard(Dick) will truly be missed by many. He was actively working and had activities he enjoyed dearly up to his last day. He was a good friend to his  housemate, Mike, who shared their flat together for 30 years. He was an avid reader and collector of books. I know he will be teaching improv in heaven.

It’s hard to express how devastated I was to hear this unbelievably sad news.  Dick Barnes was my oldest friend in San Francisco.  I’m guessing we’d known each other for 40 years, but in recent years I didn't get to see him or talk to him as often as I would have liked, and so I did not hear about his passing until a couple of weeks after it happened.

Dick was one of the most admirable people I have ever known.  He was smart *and* wise, and he seemed to know at least a little bit about everything—and a lot about some things.  He worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known; he was always on the go.  His knowledge and appreciation of music and literature was broad, but he was discerning and had great taste.  He had a great sense of humor, and laughed so easily.  I can hear his laugh in my head, and I know I will always be able to hear it, although from now on I’m afraid it will only bring me sadness and not joy.  Above all, he was the most loyal friend.  I always knew that I would be able to count on him if I ever needed his help or support; I never doubted that he would be there for me.  *That* is the kind of friend he was.  As the song goes (and it’s a song that I know Dick would know):  “I'll only miss him when I think of him / And I'll think of him all the time”)


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Richard Barnes

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Richard Barnes

September 25, 1945 – March 29, 2023

San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home

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