RICHARD OLIVER SEVERSON
The large Severson family that resided in Santa Barbara starting in the early 40’s has lost one of their own. Richard Oliver Severson passed away on Aug. 6, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. Richard was one of eleven children born to Oliver and Bernice Severson. Richard ”Dick” Severson was born in Los Angeles, Ca. on March 15, 1936. The Severson family, consisting of four children at that time, moved to Santa Barbara in April of 1943. The family eventually grew to ten children. Dick attended local schools including Garfield Elementary, La Cumbre Jr. High, and Santa Barbara High School. His first job was delivering the Santa Barbara Newspress to all the homes in the Oak Park area where the family lived. Growing up across the street from Oak Park gave the family a feeling that they owned the park. It was their front yard. While in high school he rode his small motor scooter every night, with his brown paper lunch bag between his teeth, to UCSB where he worked. He graduated from S.B. High School in 1954 and soon after joined the U.S. Navy as a Signalman on the USS Kenneth Whiting, a seaplane tender. This was something that made him very proud.
Upon returning to Santa Barbara after his two years in the Navy, much of his large family had moved to Whittier, Ca. Dick stayed in Santa Barbara and quickly found work in the grocery business. He married his first wife, Phyllis, in 1965 and moved with her to Sun Valley, Ca. After their divorce, he moved back to Santa Barbara and found employment with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. He married his second wife, Zee, and they made a home together in the Magnolia Center area. Dick was very attached to his cousins, the whole Weirum family, and when the Weirums moved to Boise, Id., Dick and Zee soon followed in 1976. In Boise, he served as an Ada County Deputy Marshal in the 4th district court for 24 years from 1977 to 2001.
Dick was an avid golfer and bowler his whole adult life. He also loved his cars and boats and motorcycles. His first car was a gift from his grandparents, Eric and Ruth Anderson, on his 16th birthday. A 1934 Chevy coupe. He had many “hot rods” and other “cool” cars over the years. His last car was a bright yellow 1929 Ford Roadster. On many occasions you could find Dick just east of Stearns Wharf with his ski boat, water skiing with all his friends in the Ski Club. Dick was very agile and strong like a circus performer. One trick he taught himself when he was very young was to ride his bicycle sitting backwards on the handlebars. This was a feat he could still do into his 70’s. He loved to make everyone laugh. He was one of the funniest people you’d ever want to meet. He always had a big smile on his face, and that deep down hearty laugh was very infectious. Dick was a thoughtful neighbor and made those around him feel loved. He also tried his skills with cooking on occasion. One remembered meal was his spaghetti made with enchilada sauce. It was delicious. Also, he spent many mornings cooking up big helpings of Chorizo and eggs for everybody. He was good at whatever he tried.
He was also a huge Boise State Football fan. He wouldn’t miss a game, and he has a picture of himself in his yellow roadster parked on that bright blue stadium turf.
Dick’s ashes will be inurned in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. A military funeral with honors will be held on Sept. 25, 2025, at 2:00 PM. His epitaph will simply say, “Our Beloved Brother….You Gave Us Love and Laughter”. There will also be a memorial service for Dick at a future date at Oak Park in Santa Barbara. If all his family shows up, the park will be overflowing with tearful, happy people with lots of fun stories to tell about Dick.
Richard, as he liked to be called later in life, leaves behind his siblings Marilyn Severson Abel, Carol Severson Lux Gordon, Lynda Severson Herreid, Lynette Severson Nirenberg, Roger Severson, Rodney Severson, Janet Severson Culliton, Barbara Joyce Severson DeNecochea, and Dale Severson. Dick had no children of his own, but was blessed with 24 adoring nieces and nephews, including Karen Maassen whom he considered a daughter. Also loving Dick’s memory are his nieces and nephews Cheryl, Tim, Debbie, Randy, Shari, Bill, Rodger, Barri, Matt, Natalie, Ryan, David, Lars, Kevin, Jami, Kris, A.J., Eric, Robin, Kyle, and Abby. He also leaves behind numerous cousins and second cousins and great nieces and nephews and his good friends Rod and Pam Briggs. He was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Bernice Severson, one brother, Duane, and two nieces, Patti and Jennifer. He was also preceded in death by his best friend and cousin, Ron Weirum.
Special thanks to the caregivers in Boise at The Cottages of Columbia Village and the Lighthouse Hospice. Your tender care for our sweet Richard is very much appreciated.
All who knew him, loved him.
