1946-2026
Richard Jerold Brinkman was born Sept. 3, 1946, in Vallejo, California, to Herman and Edna Brinkman, alongside his twin brother, Robert. They were welcomed home by older siblings, Herman Jr. and Diane.
He graduated from Vallejo High School in 1964 and spent his youth at the Yacht Club on Mare Island, racing cars, boating, fishing and duck hunting, as well as hunting deer in Potter Valley.
In May 1966, Richard enlisted in the United States Army, graduating from the Army Aviation School in Ft. Rucker, AL, in aircraft maintenance. Richard served active duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged from the military in 1969.
He married Janice Branch July 10, 1976, and their nearly 50-year union was one of great joy. Richard moved with his family to Lake Almanor in 1983, where he was an active member of his community with a love of helping friends and neighbors. On May 10, 1986, he opened Peninsula Sports and Marine, which he operated for over 20 years. He enjoyed hunting, camping, leisurely lake days fishing or drinking an icy cold Bud Light, snowmobiling, smoking cigars and time with friends and family.
In his retirement, Richard worked as a boat mechanic for Womack Construction. He died May 2, 2026, after a seven-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis of the lung, a result of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He lived a full and active life until shortly before his untimely passing.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, brother Herman and twin sons, Herman and Richard, who died shortly after their birth. He is survived by his wife Janice, twin brother Robert, sister Diane, and children and grandchildren, whom he called his “greatest accomplishments:” children, Jillian Sass (Scott) of Sparks, Nevada, and Richard Brinkman Jr (Shannon) of Chester, as well as his beloved granddaughters, Marley Sass and June Brinkman.
