Richard Diamond
1953-2026
On March 28, 2026, we lost our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in law and wonderful friend.
Richard Diamond (Ricky, in New York) was born in Oceanside, Long Island, New York in 1953. He was the son of Lewis Diamond and Ethel Kramer Diamond. He made many close and lifelong friends while growing up. He graduated from high school at 16 and later attended college in Florida. After leaving school, he made his way into New York City where he began a career in accounting at a large clothing manufacturing company owned by the Brody family of whom Richard had been childhood friends and was, all his life with Richard Brody. Longing for the pull of warm weather and other pursuits, Richard left the East Coast for sunny California and a laid-back lifestyle, which included his wearing flip flops!
He was a New Yorker by birth, tradition, and family and there was always that pull of his history, but his heart remained in California where he lived until his passing.
He came to Carpinteria in 1974, which he loved. He met Margee Yeager there and they began their life in Santa Barbara with the birth of their 3 sons Sean, Ben, and Jesse. Richard used his skills as a computer programmer and computer skills working for Pentabs, Benefit Software, and finally Ebix Corp where he remained for almost 35 years.
Richard, above all else, adored his sons. He was active in their schools, including West Day Care, Susie West childcare, Starr King Parent Child Workshop, where he made lifelong friends. McKinley Elementary where he served as PTA president and helped Margee put out a newsletter. He was a soccer coach, as well as playing music for many plays put on by Summer Stock youth theater. He went to almost every sporting event, play, and school performance the boys participated in which was his greatest joy!
Throughout Richard’s life there was one other constant above everything else.
It was his love of music, especially the guitar. He was a professional musician in the early days and even traveled to Alaska to play music, which was one of his greatest adventures! After the birth of his first son, Sean, in 1980 he played for family, friends, school events, weddings, and many more occasions. Music was always part of his life, and he shared it with his sons to show them his love of all music.
Anyone who truly knew Richard knew he had his favorites including The Grateful Dead, The Band, Little Feat, Tom Waits among just a few. But his taste ran all over the place and brought such joy to anyone he performed for or with. He would often attend annual trips to concerts with Margee and his sister-in-law Beth to see Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and many other groups. It was this love of music that sustained him through difficult times and joyous times.
I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t hear him playing in his office as he worked out a programming problem, or something he needed to solve, but mostly he just played for the pure joy of it. He loved playing anytime, anywhere!!!
The birth of his granddaughter Avery was such a happy event!! He always had a big hug for her and a smile.
Throughout Richard’s life there have been ups and downs, as there are in anyone’s life, but in the end, he passed away watching TV with Margee.
Richard leaves behind his wife Margee Yeager of over 46 years, his sons Sean Yeager-Diamond (Lisa), granddaughter Avery, Ben Diamond (Kelsey), in Vancouver, Canada and Jesse Yeager-Diamond (Julie), his sister-in-law Beth Yeager, his brothers Dr. Kenneth Diamond, James Diamond Sr as well as his nephew James Diamond Jr. and great niece and nephew.
Richard was loved by so many, numerous friends, neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances, far too numerous to list. If I left out anyone, please know you are in our hearts.
A celebration of life will be held later
Richard, you are loved and missed. “If Music be the food of love, play on”
