California Surveyors Forums

"Friends and family: Dad passed away this evening. He finally has been reunited with his "girlfriend," Orla. I know that Eamon was there with her to meet him. I miss him so much already."
Mark Coughlan June 10, 2015, 8:06 pm

Dick Coughlan, LS3227
Santa Rosa, California

My cousin, my mentor, my first employer.

Deepest sympathies, Pete.

I had no idea you two were related. I remember taking "Professor Couglan's" Boundary Control and Legal Principles/Evidence & Procedures classes at Santa Rosa Junior College. Included were "real world" applications/experiences to Brown's books. (Definitely helped with taking the LS.) And his funny "stories" as cameraman in the back of the Hogan-Schock days . . . amongst other stories.

And . . . he wasn't shy on opinions. LOL

One story I recall . . . a client owed him . . . got a judgement . . . and later is driving the client's truck. (Although I'm sure he rather had the money the client owed him.)

What the hell is Saint Peter doing? New construction on the Pearly Gates? Righter you've got a new Party Chief.

Take care, sailor Pete!

Phil - Sonoma

Phil, thanks.
I have spent the night with a lifetime of memories racing thru my head. I have lots of stories but not ready at the moment.
Dick was quite a bit older than me, maybe 15 or 20 years. He helped me a lot, especially beginning in 1970 when he employed me while I was at SRJC... probably not because he liked me, but out of devotion to my Father and the greater Ehlert family.

Dick worked for Dick Hogan with Bob Curtis and was one of the founders of CLSA. Later he founded and ran Aero Cartographics, I was his first employee. Later Jim Hamblin (LS5130, RIP) was a partner.
He always admired Dorothy and defended her when jerks spoke out.
Yes, he was highly opinionated, an Ehlert trait. ... but in my eye one of the most honest among us.

in brief his brother Ed Del Monte just wrote:
"The last weeks since his stroke on April 6th. were not always comfortable for him. He has been well cared for since that time but I know that he was ready to leave our world behind." ... and also "Carole and Mark may not be planning a service at this time. I do know that Daniel's Chapel of the Roses will be handling all the details."
If I hear of any services I will post here.

PS: life in Baja is good, thanks for asking

Condolences to Dick's family, friends, and colleagues.

Pete,
Thanks for the info - I worked with Dick from 1976 until 1983. I learned a lot from him. We had some GREAT surveys together. Now I understan why I could not connect with him.
That's 3 surveyors in the past 2 weeks who have passed on...

Richard J. COUGHLAN
COUGHLAN, Richard J. Passed away on June 10, 2015, age 82, after a long illness. Dick, as he was known to friends and family, was born in San Francisco. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College and San Jose State College and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany during the Korean War. Dick attained the rank of Master Sergeant and retired from the National Guard in 1993. For much of his life, Dick worked as a land surveyor throughout the North Bay. He also worked as an instructor in SRJC's Civil Engineering Technology program. Dick served on the Sonoma County Historical Records Commission and was an active member of St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1995, Dick was proud to be awarded his Irish citizenship. During the later years of his life, Dick fostered a love of dogs and was often seen with his beloved Airedale/Irish terrier mix, Orla. Dick is survived by his wife, Carole; sons, Mark and Gregory; grandson, Joseph; brothers, David Del Monte and Edward Del Monte; and sister, Paule-Marie Bunyan. Interment will be at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. Burial services will be private.

Published Online in the Press Democrat from June 21 to June 22, 2015
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pressd ... =175124966

The honor guard at today's service at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.