In Loving Remembrance of Richard Dennis French ('60)

[SUSAN J. SILVESTRI]

French, Richard Dennis, an attorney who practiced law in the San Fernando Valley for 44 years, passed away December 29, 2011. He was 68. He is survived by his wife, Stella, his three sons, Fred, Ken and Nick; two daughters-in-law, Julie and Mary, and four grandchildren, Jordan, Jack, Ben and Sophia. A brother, Michael, a sister-in-law, Patricia, a nephew, Timothy, and niece, Alison, also survive him.

Born in Los Angeles on March 30, 1943, Richard graduated from Hollywood High School with honors. He enrolled at Stanford University in 1960, where he rowed crew and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree, he enrolled at USC Law School, graduating in 1967 with his Juris Doctor. He was admitted to the California Bar Association in 1968. He served in the National Guard from 1968 through 1974.

After USC, for a number of years he worked for the Los Angeles Public Defender's office, then made a career in private practice, first with partner Richard Sykes. He eventually established his own practice in Van Nuys, focusing on probate and estate planning.

During his law career, he was a member of the California Bar Association, the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Variously known as Richard, Dennis, Denny or RDF to friends and family, he was passionate about politics and history and read voraciously on those subjects. He was an unabashed liberal regarding minority and women's rights, and those sympathies extended to clients who found themselves in conflict with corporations, government bureaucracies, or the judicial system.

In his personal life, he helped any friend or family member who needed legal assistance, no matter how small or complicated the problem. In some cases, without his acumen and assistance, lives would have been in serious jeopardy.

One of his passions was Stanford University football. He enjoyed traveling with his sons to Palo Alto and cheering on the Cardinal at The Farm. Mountain trekking and rafting were also passions. He summited Mount Kilimanjaro with his son, Fred, and hiked to the Everest base camp on the Nepal side with his brother, Michael. Other adventures took him to Russia, Mexico and western Nepal.

Richard had an extremely dry sense of humor and would often retell the same joke to anyone who would listen. He also enjoyed hearing new jokes from friends, family, and colleagues…the cornier the better.

He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his wife and family. His gentle spirit and acts of generosity left an indelible imprint on more hearts and lives than any of us will know.

Condolences should be sent to [e-mail].

Published in Orange County Register on January 14, 2012