Richard Herbert Kamrath, known to family and friends as Dick or Bus (Buster), entered peacefully into rest in Moraga, California on June 2, 2021. He was 91 years old. 

Born August 21, 1929 in Flint, Michigan to parents Herbert G. Kamrath and Thelma Ardath Kamrath, Richard graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI, with his B.S. in Mechanical-Industrial Engineering, M.S. in Wood Technology, Option in Wood Technology Science. He also completed graduate work in Plant Management. While at U of M, Richard enjoyed membership in Theta Delta Chi Fraternity. 

Richard served in the U.S Army during the Korean Conflict as a Corporal, Management Assistance, Tokyo Ordnance Depot, Tokyo Japan 1952-1954. He went on to work as the Director of Technical Services (R&D) for the U.S. Plywood Corporation for over 30 years.  

Richard had many hobbies, most notably fishing – he owned a boat for many years and fished and camped with his sons throughout their lives. In his later years he fished for salmon and steelhead with his son Scott, and regularly with retired friends in the lakes, rivers and streams of the Redding, CA area (Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, Trinity Lake). He enjoyed golfing as well, and went mostly with his eldest son Mark. Home improvement and wood-working projects kept him busy throughout his life.  

Richard is survived by his wife Helen Sowerby, with whom he exchanged vows on August 15, 2009; sons Mark Richard Kamrath (Michelle Myren Kamrath) and Scott Raymond Kamrath (Marie Salazar Kamrath); grandchildren Lauren Kamrath, Jesse Kamrath (Gloria), Christina Hazard (Matt), Carolyn Jackson (Anthony), and Catherine Kamrath (fiancé Robert Monson); great-grandchildren Philippa Jackson and Miles Jackson; and many other beloved family members and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his wife Susan Jane Kamrath, mother to sons Mark and Scott, to whom he was married 49 years; parents Herbert G. Kamrath (05/05/1957) and Thelma Ardath Kamrath (01/30/1996); and sisters Phyllis Brawley (03/18/2008) and Kaye Barnard (05/29/2017).  

Richard will be laid to rest in a private family service at Redding Memorial Park, 1201 Continental Street, Redding CA 96001 with full military honors.

In remembrance of Richard Kamrath’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to your favorite charity or one of the following:

Shasta Land Trust, Redding, CA: Since 1998, Shasta Land Trust has led efforts to identify and conserve significant lands in the north state that provide local benefits such as open space, wildlife habitat, scenic views, recreation, and working agricultural lands.

https://www.shastalandtrust.org/

California Wildlife Foundation:  California Wildlife Foundation collaborates with partner organizations to protect the state's rich diversity of wildlife species by acquiring, restoring, and managing sufficient habitat to sustain healthy populations over time.

https://www.californiawildlifefoundation.org/