Richard Leonard Dutrow

Richard Leonard Dutrow, a lifelong resident of Fremont, California, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, at the age of 101. He was born in San Jose on January 1, 1925, the only child of George and May Dutro, and was raised in Centerville on his family’s apricot and cherry orchard on Fremont Boulevard, between Mowry Avenue and Washington High School. He attended Centerville Grammar School and graduated from Washington High School in 1943. He went on to attend San Jose State University until he was drafted into the Army during World War II. After basic training, he was stationed at Camp Beale in Marysville, California, until his discharge at the end of the war.  He later completed his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering at UC Berkeley. It was at a USO dance in Grass Valley, California, that he met the love of his life, Patricia.  They were married on September 15, 1951, and shared 62 devoted years of marriage. Together they raised their three sons on Eggers Court, where Richard made his home for the rest of his life.

From 1964 through 1969, Richard and Patricia owned and operated Swensen’s Ice Cream Parlour in Irvington, creating fond memories for many in the community. He also enjoyed a long and successful career in the growing electronics industry of Silicon Valley, serving in a variety of management roles in Production Control and Logistical Traffic Management until his retirement in 1990.

Richard was a man of many gifts and interests. He was a talented draftsman and graphic artist who created numerous sketches and paintings, and he brought joy to many family gatherings as a musician, playing the drums, accordion, and banjo. He was also a wonderful dancer who especially loved to jitterbug with his beloved wife. Yet perhaps his greatest lifelong passion was organic gardening and cooking, pursuits he continued to enjoy right up to his 101st birthday.

Richard is survived by his three sons, Gregory (Libby), Glen (Susan), and Patrick (Karen); five grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica (Nicholas), Christopher (Sheila), Alicia (Patrick) and Kimberly (Brendan), and two great-grandchildren, Arabella and Julianna.

He was a lifelong parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and took part in many religious pilgrimages with his church family. Above all, he will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and role model whose steady presence, kindness, and example will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.