Richard Tubbs' Obituary
Richard “Dick” Sherwin Tubbs passed away on April 20, 2019 in Burlingame, California surrounded by his wife and daughter after a brief hospitalization. He was 84 years old and would have turned 85 on June 21st. Dick grew up in the Belmont Shore neighborhood of Long Beach, California graduating from Wilson High School in 1952 and then Long Beach State College where he earned a BS in biological sciences. In 1957 he was drafted by the U.S. Army working in biological research at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco and virus research for the Naval Biological Laboratories at UC Berkeley. That same year, Dick married Joyce Schinnerer and they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. His 34 year career in education began in 1960 at Castro Valley High School where he taught life science, biology and was president of the teachers union. During this time he earned a MS in School Administration. In 1965 he became an assistant principal at Castro Valley High School. The following year he was appointed principal, a role he served for 7 years. From 1973-1978, Dick was principal at San Mateo High School. Dick then worked as the superintendent for Santa Paula Union High School District in Ventura County from 1978-1982. In 1982, he assumed the role of Superintendent for the Cabrillo Unified School District in Half Moon Bay. In 1988, Dick was appointed Superintendent of San Leandro Unified School District where he worked until he retired in June 1994. Dick was deeply committed to public education and always based his decisions on ”what was best for the students.” Even in retirement, Dick remained a passionate educator consulting with school districts and mentoring new administrators. Dick lived a life he was proud of. He had the kind of personality and character that earned him the respect, esteem, and affection of everyone he met. He valued integrity and honesty and expected the same of others. He was charismatic and good natured with a wry and witty sense of humor. Always with a smile on his face, he loved sharing a good story and was known as jokester to many. He touched the hearts and lives of many people throughout his lifetime. Dick and Joyce shared a love and friendship that is remembered by all. During their 61 years of marriage, Dick and Joyce loved to travel around the world. To enjoy their years in retirement, Dick and Joyce moved to the Peninsula Regent in San Mateo in 2010. Dick is preceded in death by his father Sherwin, mother Bernice and brother Donald. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Lisa MacLean of Castro Valley, son Tyler Tubbs of Portland, Oregon and granddaughters Jenevieve Garcia, Madison Tubbs, Ashley Tubbs, and niece Donna Tubbs Pompei of Long Beach, California. A private family service was held on May 6th at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo. A celebration of life will be held in June.
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