Richard Henry Felix Gebauer II passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
Richard was born on August 1, 1933, in Apia, Western Samoa to Richard and
Sophia Gebauer. He was raised in Apia, Western Samoa; Pago Pago, American
Samoa; and Honolulu, HI. Richard graduated from St. Louis College in Honolulu,
HI in1950.Through the years he also lived in Santa Barbara, San Pedro, Canoga
Park, and Janesville CA.
On January 26th,1956 Richard married Valerie Michelle Silver in Torrance, CA.
Richard has lived quite the extraordinarily interesting and exciting life. He
returned back to American Samoa in 1966 with his wife and 3 children. During
this time Richard worked with AIU insurance as an agent out of Sydney Australia.
After his time with insurance he became quite the entrepreneur and opened his
own Ocean Marine Hardware store. Worked as the Civil Defense Director for
American Samoa Government. He further expanded into new businesses
comprising of a deep sea charter fishing, a boat business captained by himself.
Richard opened a fish market along with a fish and tackle shop. A small
convenience store and Yamaha motorcycle dealership. In 1982 Richard and his
wife returned back to the United States to Santa Barbara, CA. Where he worked
as a Grant writer for a Cancer Federation.
Richard was president of the Old Boys Association in American, Samoa. Which
consisted of a group of fathers that raised funds to build the Marist Brothers
Catholic elementary and high school. He was the auxiliary commander in the US
Coast Guard where he led and participated in search and rescue parties for
boats in distress out at sea.
Richard was an avid fisherman, he fished all saltwater sport fish in the South
Pacific Islands as well as freshwater fishing in lakes/rivers in California. Richard
had a passion for language, fluent verbally and written in German, Samoan, and
English language. Had a unique skill and eye for designing and crafting wooden
motor boats enjoyed by his Family and Friends. Enjoyed riding motorcycles.
Richard was fondly remembered for entertaining with his beautiful singing voice
and playing ukulele.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Valerie Michelle Gebauer; parents
Richard and Sophia Gebauer; brother Oloipala Hugo Ryan Gebauer; and sister
Sophie Emma Hedwig Gebauer Coleman. He is survived by his sons David
Andrew Gebauer of Arroyo Grande, CA; Richard Henry Felix Gebauer III of
Honolulu, HI; and daughter Dominique Gebauer-Levao of Aberdeen, WA; sisters
Marlene Margarete Gebauer Erickson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Kalameli O.
Molio'o of Carson,CA; 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.