Richard P. Caldera passed away from a long battle with illness Saturday, April 24 at Gilroy Health Care and Rehabilitation. He was 74.
A life-long resident of San Benito County, he graduated from San Benito High School, where he was the president of the Future Farmers of America. Richard entered the Air Force a year after graduating high school. After many years of service, he ran the Browns Valley Ranch in Paicines with his father for many years. With his father, he formed Caldera and Sons Ranching where they dry farmed, raised barley and raised cattle. Upon retiring from ranching after his father passed away, he became a mechanic for himself, also worked at Tipton’s Motors and taught Mechanics through the ROP in Gilroy for high school students. During the last 20 years of his life, he became a massage therapist after receiving his training in Sweden and Denmark. He was very helpful for those who needed physical therapy, according to his family. They describe him as a man who was a very talented mechanic and builder, a man who loved to build fast cars and boats, enjoyed teaching others how to water ski at Coyote Lake and a dedicated therapist.
Mr. Caldera is survived by Arlene O’Neil, his former spouse and mother of his children, of Hollister; daughter Kathy Caldera Rust of Cambridge, Mass.; daughter Janet Caldera of Hollister; son Tom Caldera of Santa Maria; daughter Susan Knoll and husband, Jim, of Paicines; grandsons Josh and Jack Knoll of Paicines; grandson Tommy Rust of Cambridge, Massachusetts; sister Adeline Rianda of Hollister; sister Doris Riley of Kansas; and many other relatives.
As per his wishes, private cremation will be held at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory, with private placement of his remains at sea off the Monterey County Coast by his family at a later date.
Donations are preferred to the American Lung Association, care of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito St., Hollister, Calif. 95023.
