Obituary of Richard Lien

Richard Aggeler Lien was born to Norman "Sig" Lien and Alice Aggeler Lien in Oakland California on May 8, 1933. He died from a longstanding illness on March 28, 2014 in Aptos, California. Rich grew up in Watsonville and La Selva Beach, attending Mintie White Elementary and E.A. Hall schools. He graduated from Bellermine Preparatory in San Jose. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of California Berkeley (Go Bears!) and earned his teaching credential at Sacramento State University with his master's work done at San Jose State University. Following in his parent's footsteps, (his father, Superintendent of Schools, Santa Cruz County, and mother, a math teacher at Mintie White) Rich spent many successful years in education. He was a popular high school English teacher at San Lorenzo Valley High School, where he created the Redwoods Repertory Theater. Rich also organized and coached the campus golf team and served as a school guidance counselor. He was a gifted teacher and great listener. He made each student know that they were a very special and integral part of the community. Rich cherished the countless memories of the years he worked with his students. Following retirement, Rich continued to reach out to others. For nearly two decades, he was a counselor for the Multi-Offender Program at Janus of Santa Cruz, a job he truly loved. In addition his hard work and dedication to teaching and counseling, Rich was an expert at having fun. Golf had been his passion from an early age. He was a member of his high school and university teams, and for many years his home was located on the 14th tee at Pasatiempo Golf Course, where he played 18 holes every day. He loved Golf! He played at every opportunity and traveled to tournaments all over California and Nevada. He also put his writing skills to good use as a journalist for "Golf Digest". All of his children loved another hobby that Rich was passionate about, and that was his love of cars. As kids, we adored being able to drive (when permitted) his '54 Chevy, '67 porthole T-Bird, '72 Super Beetle, English Tauness, MGA, MG Midget, Bug Eyed Sprite, Austin Healy 3000, Mercedes 230 SL, and those Porsches, the 356, 911 SC, and 912. Rich met his wife Julie on the 12-Step Campus and during their 43 years marriage, he always referred to her as his bride. Rich and Julie generously shared their time (Experience, Strength, and Hope), with countless people over the years and provided 12 Step members much needed help and guidance. Rich was a friend of Bill W's for more than 48 years. Rich was preceded in death by his parents Sig and Alice, his beloved wife Julie (2007) and Julie's children, Gordon and Luana. He is survived by a large blended family, Jill Simmons (Ann Stadler), Joni Scurich (Rick), Jed Simmons, Christopher Lien, John Feldt (Rosa) and Melinda Feldt. He was a loving Grandpa to Nerissa Gonzales (John) Schuyler Raine-Mustain (Zoe), Jenn Lien, Seth Carrington (Maria) Kevin Scurich, Leslie Michalik, Lisa Johnson, and Jackson Feldt. Proud Great Grandpa to Gabriella and Sofia Gonzales, Trevor Sparks and Logan Carrington. He is also survived by his brother Norman (Dorothy), and nephews Michael and Tim. The memorial service will be on Friday, April 4, 2014 at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel beginning at 11:30, a.m. with Fr. Patrick Dooling presiding. The family will receive guests at 10:30 a.m. at the chapel, with a private committal taking place at a later date. Any kind acts of charity may be made in Rich's memory to Hospice of Santa Cruz or JDRF.