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Light a Candle
Richard T. Bara, Senior … Gone But Not Forgotten
Friends and family of Richard "Dick" Bara lost someone very near and dear to them on 12/30/2021. Richard Theodore Bara, Senior had been in poor health for several years, and succumbed to COVID-19, passing very suddenly, one of many taken by the pandemic. Dick was a man who took his responsibilities seriously - as a father, a husband, a merchant seaman, a Union leader, a philanthropist, a longtime Rancho Palos Verdes resident and a beloved friend. His calm presence, his loyalty to many charitable causes, and his wise advice for all occasions will be remembered by everyone that knew him. This memorial can only hope to highlight a very little of what Dick accomplished in his 88 years.
Born in the middle of the Great Depression, he was the youngest son of a large Hungarian-American farming family in Elyria, Ohio. At a young age, Dick knew that he wanted to see something of the world, and a seafaring career seemed like a good way to accomplish that. After finishing high school in 1951, he was accepted at King's Point Maritime Academy in New York State, where he was known as "Yogi" Bara to his classmates and friends. Learning everything from ship's knots to maritime law to emergency medical aid, he took his degree in (Maritime Science?) in XXXX.
He spent the next several decades travelling the high seas aboard ships large and small, eventually reaching the position of First Mate/Chief Mate. Dick enjoyed exploring cities all over the world during his trips ashore, visiting Europe, the Far East and South America among many other stops. But he also took his calling seriously. When he was needed during the Vietnam War, he served honorably, working as a medic aboard a military hospital ship that treated soldiers injured in battle.
Returning to the US, his home base became the swinging city of San Francisco where he enjoyed the bachelor life but wished he could find a steady girl to settle down with. Friends from back home in Ohio introduced him to another Ohio transplant living in San Francisco, Kay Ann Sargent. A young college graduate who was working as a parole officer, Kay was his polar opposite, but they were a perfect match. Dick and Kay shared a devotion to each other as well as enthusiasm for art and music, progressive values and union activities. They soon married and welcomed their beloved son Richard T. Bara, Junior to the family in 1972.
As a husband and father, Dick realized he didn't want to spend long months away from his loved ones, and transitioned from a seaman's life to a job on the shore, working for his longtime maritime union, Masters, Mates and Pilots. Dick and Kay started to buy and renovate older properties in the San Francisco Bay area, and continued their passion for union organizing and philanthropy. In the mid-1970s, Dick and his family fell in love with the Southern California area and spent some time looking for just the right home. Eventually discovering their dream house, the Villa Francesca, in rural Portuguese Bend on the Palos Verdes Penninsula, they purchased the historic property complete with house, outbuildings, barns, corrals, and 11 acres of scenic beauty.
Dick became Port Agent for his longtime union, Masters, Mates and Pilots, and he and Kay were becoming involved with local environmental and political life. Over the years, Dick spent countless hours working on projects involving the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Los Angeles Harbor, Los Angeles-area Merchant Marine organizations, and many land conservancy, environmental and wildlife charities.
Dick and Kay successfully sought and obtained National Historic Landmark status for their home in xxxx. As one of the oldest homes on the Peninsula, the Villa Francesca was part of history, but it was also a fun place to be when Dick and Kay were around. Their house was the site of many fundraisers, weddings, movie shoots, paintball parties and horse-related celebrations. There was always room for one more at the dining room table. Dick took pride in the house and property and was always working on repairing and upgrading the Villa and its grounds.
Dick was always willing to give generously of his time to organizations like (Horse orgs here) and (the merchant marine social club here). He and Kay were early supporters of the Merchant Marine Memorial and became a driving force behind the erection of the bronze statue in San Pedro, dedicated in XXXX. In addition to their own family, Dick and Kay were “family” to many of their close friends. They were always eager to get involved, get the word out and give support to people in need. They "adopted" several of Richard Junior's high school and college friends and "helped out" countless others, providing a place to stay, meals, good advice and anything else that was needed. Over the years, they developed close bonds with neighbors, employees, renters, and other people that came within their orbit. They loved and supported local artists. They were animal lovers and always had room for another set of paws or hooves.
In retirement, Dick continued to work, selling real estate, studying and investing in the stock market, and running a horse boarding business on his land. He took special joy in helping son Richard become a Merchant Marine when he was a young man, and later supported and encouraged Richard during his many years serving as an apprentice/"casual" longshoreman. Dick was thrilled to see his son become a member of the ILWU in 2019.
Losing his beloved wife Kay to a sudden illness in 2005 was a painful blow to Dick, but like so many of the "Greatest Generation" he kept his feelings to himself, and focused on taking care of the people and causes he loved. He continued to participate in local committees, charities and organizations, stayed involved in his son's life, and still took pride in "walking his property" when well into his 80s.
Unfortunately, Dick's health began to decline in the past few years. Slowly, he became less mobile, and could no longer drive his beloved pearl-white Cadillac, but he still remained the same Dick we all knew and loved. Although he spent more time in his chair or in bed toward the end, his mind was as sharp as ever, and his blue eyes still twinkled when he was amused. In his weakened state, he was unable to fight off COVID when he was infected during the height of the pandemic.
Dick was preceded in death by his soul mate Kay Ann Bara and his parents, brothers, and sister of Elyria, Ohio. Survived and remembered by his beloved son, Richard Bara Junior; his brother in law, Andrew Sargent Senior, and his nephew, Andrew Sargent Junior. Mourned by nieces, nephews, family and friends in Ohio and by longtime friends in Portuguese Bend, Rancho Palos Verdes, and throughout the South Bay.
If you wish to make a charitable donation in Dick's memory, we encourage you to support one of the many Merchant Marine charities he supported throughout his his lifetime, or the Los Angeles Maritime Museum (www.lamaritimemuseum.org).
"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
