Obituaries

Richard “Dick” Crippen, 86, passed away December 1, 2017 in Fremont, CA. Dick was born April 14, 1931 in Snohomish, WA to Elmer and Helen Crippen. After graduating from Everett High School in 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during the Korean War, where he learned his love for electronics. After getting a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from UC Berkeley in 1958, Dick started his long engineering career in the Silicon Valley. He spent over 40 years in various roles at Fairchild Semiconductor and National Semiconductor. Dick held 8 patents in semiconductor technology. Dick loved the outdoors – deer hunting in his early years, camping and water skiing in his mid-years, and then hiking and walking in his later years. Lake Elizabeth and Alameda Creek in Niles Canyon, Fremont, were his favorite spots during the last 5 years. Dick volunteered in numerous organizations and churches, and always enjoyed attending football and basketball games at St. Francis HS in Mountain View. Dick is survived by his wife Nancy of 60 years; children Jill Erickson of Fremont, CA, Michael Rand Crippen of Mountain View, CA, and Jacquelyn (Mark) Stamper of Tacoma, WA, grandson Christopher Erickson, and his brother Al Crippen of Everett, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ruth and her husband Mark Martin, and sister-in-law Sandra Crippen. A Celebration of Life will be held January 12, 2018 in Fremont, CA. Contact Fremont Chapel of the Roses (510-797-1900) for details.